Keith Olbermann suspended from MSNBC over Democratic donations

"Countdown" host Keith Olbermann has been suspended from MSNBC over recent donations he made to three Democratic candidates.

The website Politico called the cable network Thursday night and began asking about the contributions of $2,400 apiece to Democratic Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona and Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky. Conway lost, while Grijalva has declared victory; votes in the Gifford race are still being counted.

"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," MSNBC President Phil Griffin said Friday in a statement. "Mindful of MSNBC's News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."

In a statement, Olbermann said he had made the Arizona contributions on Oct. 28 after a discussion with a friend about that state's politics. "I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone to donate to these campaigns nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level," the host said.

Newsgathering organizations generally frown on journalists openly supporting political candidates or causes, but Olbermann's partisanship — on full display in "Countdown" — has gotten MSNBC in trouble in the past. Although he anchored the network's election coverage Tuesday, critics complained about his lack of objectivity back in 2008, when he was temporarily replaced by David Gregory.

Friday's "Countdown" will be hosted by Chris Hayes, a familiar "Countdown" guest. An MSNBC representative said he had no information on when Olbermann might return to air.

— Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Keith Olbermann. Photo credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press.

 

 

Comments

[Mike Johnson]

So they're okay when Joe Scarborough donates to a Republican candidate, but when Keith Olberman donates to Democrats it crosses a line.

Oh, that wacky liberal MSNBC.

[phoenixandrew]

So it's OK for News Corp., Sean Hannity and Neil Cavuto to donate to Republican candidates, but if Keith Olberman donates to Democratic candidates, then he should be fired? I guess the fascist hypocrites have now taken over MSNBC.

[My view means nothing]

I've watched Olbermann since he started at MSNBC and have found him informative, entertaining, and funny (not necessarily in that order). He is also a bit bombastic but got his point across. I don't always agree with him but can't stand Beck (is he a preacher now?) or O'Riely (a goof ball). I hope he and MSNBC can come to terms on this. I'll miss his approach to the news.

[1Swami]

Free Keith Olbermann.

[trust no one]

Olbermann is a loser, but this is wrong.

[KC]

Olberman has never been a journalist. He should go back to being a sportscaster like he was at the beginning of his career. He is an entertainer for MSNBC. He definitely does not belong in the category of journalist.

[Ambrose Bierce]

"Replaced by a real Journalist"...
Yeah, you know like Glenn Beck or Hannity.
As noted by other posters, Olberman never claimed to be doing impartial journalism, which has increasingly become somthing in the eye of the beholder anyway. Just ask Sharon Angle, in who's case virtually no news outlet met her "journalistic" standard.
Don't like what's being written or said about you? The fall back position is go on Fox News' "FOX AND FRIENDS" ( a knock off of "700 Club" ) Both being Essentially a "good Christians'" version of Al Jazeera as both are married to unbreakable underlying narratives.

[Windfall]

Another Marxist Democrat can't follow the rules.

So what else is new?

[Windfall]

Actually, Mr. Tulsa, Olbermann could be replaced with an old fashioned after hours test pattern and his rating would improve. Improve? Yes. It's easier on the eyes for stoners to focus on a simple and relative fixed television image as opposed to a ranting lunatic with a face made for radio.

[Zardoz]

Don't confuse these so called journalists with normal employees. They sign a personal performance contract and
it can have many things in it that one couldn't do to a
normal employee. This is close to a contract an actor
signs. For example actors making films can't ski or ride
or drive a motorcycle. Courts have held up these contracts
with the exception of clauses that do not allow a person
to make a living in there field. Pretty much everything
else goes. He signed it he should follow it.

[shannon]

This is crazy. Let me know when Kieth is back and I'll tune in.

[Phil Lagana]

Keith Olbermann is an arrogant, obnoxious individual, his suspension, was justified by MSNBC, for the improper donations to the Democatic candidates, he gloated when Rick Sanchez was fired.
It just goes to show you, like that old saying, when you constantly spit up in the air, eventually, you are going to get hit in the face.

[M Ramirez]

Keith has done GREAT investigative journalism. He has also done great commentary and critical analysis of politics in this country. On the other hand, so many so called journalists only appear to be unbiased because they have become public scribes for their owners and don't even bring up a hint of the issues from a larger perspective. "Journalists" like David Gregory never ask the hard questions. They just go along the the narrative frames they are given. They don't rock the boat. That's not journalism. That's prostitution. Cable is not worth the cost if there are no alternative views. That last is for you, Comcast owners.

[Jon]

Bring him and Steiner back to ESPN.

[Bernardo Morais]

Ridiculous decision. A case of shooting your own foot.

[Reilly]

Don't listen to these guys, Keith. You go ahead and let those bastards get you down.

Anyway, MSNBC needs a time slot for The Alan Grayson Show, and Keith drew the short straw.

[Bill]

Let's see. Keith Olbermann is the top-rated show on MSNBC with 877,000 total viewers. Joe Scarborough has 547,000 viewers.

Both contributed to political campaigns.

MSNBC decides to suspend Olbermann.

[Jack Straw]

If newsgathering organizations frown on open support of political candidates, what do we call Fox News Corp?

[Javier Marroquin]

@Sandra: I was with you 100% until you said "...Maddow is the only one who even makes an attempt to be balanced." Maddow was the one making goose noises and applauding when the rare Dem won a seat Tuesday night. But I totally agree when you say "The political donations were the LEAST of Olbermann's objectivity offenses." Right on point. Good post.

[Canyoubelieveit]

Face it MSNBC's election coverage ratings came in third. Not bad out of three. Maybe they need a new direction.