MSNBC suspends host
Source: Agencies |
November 7, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MSNBC has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season.
Olbermann acknowledged to NBC that he donated US$2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Representatives Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords.
NBC News prohibits its employees from working on, or donating to, political campaigns unless a special exception is granted by the news division president - effectively a ban. Olbermann's bosses did not find out about the donations until after they were made. The website Politico first reported on it.
"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," Phil Griffin, MSNBC's chief executive, said on Friday. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."
Olbermann was not available for comment.
His "Countdown" show is MSNBC's most popular program. His on-the-air transformation from the host of a straight news program to a liberal commentator led the network itself to go in the same direction, filling its prime-time lineup with left-leaning hosts and doing better in the ratings than anytime since its 1996 launch.
After initially saying Chris Hayes would fill in for Olbermann, MSNBC changed its mind but wouldn't immediately say who would do it.
Olbermann acknowledged to NBC that he donated US$2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Representatives Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords.
NBC News prohibits its employees from working on, or donating to, political campaigns unless a special exception is granted by the news division president - effectively a ban. Olbermann's bosses did not find out about the donations until after they were made. The website Politico first reported on it.
"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," Phil Griffin, MSNBC's chief executive, said on Friday. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."
Olbermann was not available for comment.
His "Countdown" show is MSNBC's most popular program. His on-the-air transformation from the host of a straight news program to a liberal commentator led the network itself to go in the same direction, filling its prime-time lineup with left-leaning hosts and doing better in the ratings than anytime since its 1996 launch.
After initially saying Chris Hayes would fill in for Olbermann, MSNBC changed its mind but wouldn't immediately say who would do it.
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