Is MSNBC right to demote Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews?

Apparently responding to criticism about liberal political bias, MSNBC has removed its two political hot-potato co-anchors, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, from the network's election coverage.

David Gregory will be the new anchor for coverage of the debates and election night. Olbermann and Matthews have been relegated to “analysts” during the coverage. The switch was first reported in the New York Times. 

NBC execs apparently wanted to emulate Fox News' success with more provocative commentary. But Fox News is conservative in its views. MSNBC is not. And when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin complained about media bias during her acceptance of the VP nomination, convention attendees were heard to chant “N-B-C, N-B-C.” The McCain campaign reportedly filed complaints to the NBC news division about its and MSNBC’s coverage.

Olbermann's show "Countdown" is set to air his interview with Sen. Barack Obama tonight, putting him in direct competition with the man who often stars in the "Countdown" segment "Worst Person in the World": Fox News' Bill O'Reilly. The two are expected to go head-to-head with competing Obama interviews at 8 p.m.

Olbermann took a lot of heat for apologizing on-air after the Republican convention for a 9/11 video that was shown. Watch the video below if you missed it. What do you think?  Did you agree with Olbermann? Were Olbermann and Matthews getting too opinionated? Was it out of place in their position as anchors?

Is balanced journalism even possible in this outspoken, opinionated, Limbaugh/Stern/O'Reilly shout show era?

Comments

[KJ]

I get a tingle up my leg just hearing that misogynists Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann were demoted.
Too bad it didn't happen earlier, when it would have made a difference in the Democratic primary.
Better late than never though.

[KJ]

I get a tingle up my leg just hearing that misogynists Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann were demoted.
Too bad it didn't happen earlier, when it would have made a difference in the Democratic primary.
Better late than never though.

[Denise]

Olberman always goes a too far. But Chris is usually pretty fair and factual. I don't understand why NBC allowed themselves to be intimidated by McCain & Palin's complaints.

[Cindy]

MSNBC:
What a thoroughly stupid decision to
throw Keith out from the national election! He's the BEST thing that ever happened to MSNBC and MSNBC's ratings will wither
on the vine.

Go Keith Go! Find a station that will promote your intellect that obviously is NOT appreciated by MSNBC.
Your fan,
Cindy, MD

[Maureen]

I am very unhappy with MSNBC's decision. They are "demoting" two of their best anchors for the crying from the republicans. (SArah, if yiu can't tale the heat...get out of the kitchen!) FOX doesn't seem to care that they promote the right wingers and are 100% biased!. I refuse to watch FOX and if MSNBC moves in that direction, they have lost another viewer.

[Diane]

It is about time the powers that be have come to their senses. Now if they would take Obermann off sports.......

[Karen Stevens]

MSNBC is out of the minds.. I felt offended as well that McCain was using 9/11 to gain political sympathy. What's unfair is the demoting of Olbermann and Matthews. If McCain was to debate, you don't the tragies of 9/11.. I'm ashame of MSNBC.. 9/11 is a tragegy and should have not been used in anyone campaign. I was in New York when it happened and don't need reminded in a political campaign to get sympathy.

[Kathleen Chaudhry]

I'll be watching Public Television for the Elections. Bad decision.

[Jerry Webb]

Good judgment on the part of MSNBC.

Now, terminate their programs for the same reasons.

These people are not reputable journalists in any manner.

[Bob]

Olberman revealed what a pecker-head he is way back when he was a sports announcer making fun of (NASCAR driver) Dick Trickle.

He, and "tingle leg boy" shouldn't be fired. They should both be sent back to the the fifth grade where they belong.

[MB]

Benching Keith O is tantamount to ratings suicide...he's the ONLY commentator I trust. He has the intellectual integrity and keen wit that will surely be of value at another station and where he go's - our family go's. MSNBC has gone FOX on us!
Your # 1 Fan,
me

[roxy]

I am devastated by this news. Keith is one of the only newscasters with any integrity and to say that Fox or the rest of CNN is "neutral" just becasue it supports the GOP powers that control the media is to violate our constitutional right to free speech. I will work to fight for Keith and Rachel Maddow to keep their vital voices heard in this time of outright lies by the RNC.

[Sandra]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!Olbermann is out of control. He seamed so angry. I stopped watching because NBC has become a commerical for the democratic party. Please, we need to see both sides.

[Sandra]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!Olbermann is out of control. He seamed so angry. I stopped watching because NBC has become a commerical for the democratic party. Please, we need to see both sides.

[Steve]

It's "OUTRAGEOUS" that Caprus and Griffin demoted Chris Matthews. Olbermann, I can understand. I actually agree with pretty much everything Olbermann has to say...but he definitely does not come off as objective. Matthews on the other hand is possibly the best political journalist in the business...bar none! He always manages to show both sides to the story fairly...something Fox News Channel claims but fails miserably at.

I think they should reconsider putting Matthews back at top. Gregoy is a lightweight. In fact, it is because of Matthews that David Gregory and Norah O'Donnell and quite a few others at NBC are where they are today. HE gave them presence on Hardball and other shows he hosted. Who can forget MSNBC's fine coverage during the 2000 presidential debacle. Matthews gave time to the likes of O'Donnell and Ashleigh Banfield and sooo many others.

THEY should all be coming out of the wordwork and supporting Matthews now.

As for critics of Matthews, they are either right wing nuts with a grudge or Hillary supporters who didn't like the fact that Chris didn't go easy on her.

Bravo Matthews! Hang in there!!!

[domestic]

Olbermann's commentary after the 911 tribute at the RNC is the most civil thing I've ever heard him say. He's been waaaaay over the top for waaaay too long!

[John Smith]

Fox news is not conservative in it's views. They are merely painted as being so because they actually present conservative and liberal views on the air instead of being completely in the tank for Barack like CRAPPY NEWS NETWORK and DNBC. Ratings for July- Fox-6th, CNN-22nd, DNBC-30th

[Denise Olson]

MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann labelled long-time Hillary Clinton advisor Howard Wolfson a Tokyo Rose-like traitor due to his current affiliation with Fox News. On Wednesday, during an interview with FNC's Martha MacCallum, Wolfson fired back.

Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann will destroy any Dem if they go live on air with Fox News.

[domestic]

Olbermann's commentary after the 911 tribute at the RNC is the most civil thing I've ever heard him say. He's been waaaaay over the top for waaaay too long!

[Ken]

Why are there not accusations about the right leaning news media? It continues to sound to me that one of the changes that the Republicans will make if they are elected is a change to our free press. There only want the right leaning views expressed in public. They also want to take away a women's right to choose. It makes you wonder what rights we will have left if the Republicans are elected.

[Josephine]

Its about TIME !!! Keith olbermann and Chris Matthews should of been fired for journalism put to the up most lowest !!! Injecting their sarcasm and bias remarks. Too bad it took the ratings to wake you all up... being a good journalist was not enough. Maybe you should have Oprah as a commentator, she is bias too. Sorry folks... I am now a FOX viewer..... you made your move too late !!! A moderate Democrat !!!

[Sketchy]

It is plan and simple. Fox uses opinion hawks in analyst positions. MSNBC was using opinion hawks in their anchor positions. Everyone expects OPINION from the analysts. We should DEMAND that the anchor/moderator present the appearance of being impartial. This will help MSNBC restore the credibility the network giant, NBC has cultivated over many decades.

[Bob]

Everyone has a favorite but Oberman and Matthews were over the top and so biased that I could not watch the show. I started out as a MSNBC viewer but during the primary they were so biased. David Gregory is following close behind them and he should take note.

MSNBC will never recover from this. The producers and news directors need to overhauled to correct this problem.

[DMacG]

Demotion is not enough for Mr. Olberman. I believe he is sincere, but he has no business anchoring a "news" show.

[DMacG]

Demotion is not enough for Mr. Olberman. I believe he is sincere, but he has no business anchoring a "news" show.