MSNBC Suspends Olbermann Without Pay

[Almo]

I think for the FIRST TIME EVER, [Ziggurat] and I are in 100% agreement on something.

TAM

Read more of his science posts. They tend to be spot on.

 

[novice skeptic]

This may be old news, but it makes me wonder a little more about MSNBC's decision to suspend Keith.

http://www.actblue.com/page/2009carterdinner

In the summer of 09 MSNBC's Ed Schultz was the keynote speaker at a Colorado Democrat fundraising dinner.

I'm not saying he was right or wrong, ethical or unethical, just that MSNBC didn't have a problem with it. Possibly a couple of reasons:

1) Schultz isn't as high a profile
2) Giving a speech at a dinner raising money for Democrats is different than personally writing a check
3) MSNBC has changed their rules in the last 16 months.

 

[Skeptic]

Unless his employer is the government they cannot step on his 1st Amendment rights.

Olbermann's a douche, but he shouldn't be suspended for this. It's not like anyone thinks he's non-partisan.

But he wasn't fired because he made a donation, or because making donations per se is wrong, or for being a liberal. He was fired because he made a donation after signing an employment contract saying he won't do this.

He broke his contract. It's just a civil law matter. If his contract hadn't specifically forbidden him to make such donations, they would have had no case at all.

Much ado about nothing.

 

[Skeptic]

Novice Skeptic -- it depends if Shultz had a clause in his contract where he agreed not to make such appearances. If he didn't, he did nothing wrong to his employer and they'd have no case to fire him for it.

 

[novice skeptic]

Novice Skeptic -- it depends if Shultz had a clause in his contract where he agreed not to make such appearances. If he didn't, he did nothing wrong to his employer and they'd have no case to fire him for it.

The specific language isn't in their contracts, it's in NBC's policy. Here is the specific language: "Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the President of NBC News or his designee."

I guess it is up for argument as to whether being the keynote speaker at a Democrat fundraiser is a "civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest"

I believe it does, but I'm not saying Schultz should have been suspended (nobody was fired). I think MSNBC is just cracking down on stuff they previously had let slide.