MSNBC has suspended host Keith Olbermann for making political contributions–even though GE/NBC executives and fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough has made similar donations. If you'd like to urge MSNBC to follow a consistent standard, see FAIR's Action Alert (11/5/10). And please post copies of your messages, and/or comments on the alert, to the comments thread here.
Nov
05
2010
Action Alert: NBC/GE's Double Standards on Political Donations
By 73 Comments
About Jim NaureckasExtra! Magazine Editor Since 1990, Jim Naureckas has been the editor of Extra!, FAIR's bimonthly journal of media criticism. He is the co-author of The Way Things Aren't: Rush Limbaugh's Reign of Error, and co-editor of The FAIR Reader: An Extra! Review of Press and Politics in the '90s. He is also the co-manager of FAIR's website. He has worked as an investigative reporter for the newspaper In These Times, where he covered the Iran-Contra scandal, and was managing editor of the Washington Report on the Hemisphere, a newsletter on Latin America. Jim was born in Libertyville, Illinois, in 1964, and graduated from Stanford University in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in political science. Since 1997 he has been married to Janine Jackson, FAIR's program director. You can follow Jim on Twitter at @JNaureckas.
Phil Griffin's decision to suspend Keith Olbermann indefinitely means my husband and I have no reason to watch MSNBC's evening lineup at all.
This is bad decision~
Please let us know how NBC/MSNBC plays favorites. Mr. Obermann, in his personal life, should be able to donate to whatever causes he wants. I would like you to explain why there is such a double standard in relation to Mr. Obermann\'s donations and say, GE\'s, or Joe Scarborough\'s?
Do the right thing and bring Keith back
Come on, we all know the rules. He was suspended because he contributed to DEMOCRATIC party candidates. Republicans aren't against network rules. I would suggest tracking if any journalists or news analysts have contributed to Republican candidates and if that has been kept quiet!
Mr. Griffin -
I would respectfully request that Keith Olbermann be reinstated immediately as anchor for "Countdown". I watch his program nightly and feel that his insights and commentary are exceptional. He IS "Countdown", and an irreplaceable bulwark of the progressive community. His incisive reporting and commentary are needed now more than ever as we progressives pick up the pieces after the election and try to make sense of it all.
I am puzzled at the response to his private political contributions, since he never advocated for these candidates on the air nor did he solicit contributions for them from his listeners. FAIR has pointed out the political contributions made by GE, Comcast, Joe Scarborough and Robert Wright over the years to specific organizations and individuals. Why is his case somehow different? I find this inconsistency to be troubling, and would hope that Mr. Olbermann isn't being singled out for unfair treatment.
I appreciate your attention to this matter, and thank you in advance for your time.
(Sent 11/5/10 to Phil Griffin via e-mail)
Mr. Griffin, let's not behave like Newt Gingrich did when he didn't get the seat he wanted on Clinton's plane back in the 90s. This is small potatoes and I hope you are a 'bigger' person than this petty nonsense. Although–if you suspend Buchanan and Scarborough along with Olbermann, I think that would be fair.
NBC and MSNBC:
Sirs:
Shocked by your suspension without pay of Keith Olbermann. Please explain your inconsistent standards regarding political donations.
From FAIR:
Olbermann's donations are in some ways comparable to fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough's $4,200 contribution to Republican candidate Derrick Kitts in 2006 (MSNBC.com, 7/15/07). When that was uncovered, though, NBC dismissed this as a problem, since Scarborough "hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter." Olbermann, of course, is also an opinion journalist–but MSNBCseems to hold him to a different standard.
Two years earlier, the Washington Post reported (1/18/04):
NBC chief executive Robert Wright has contributed $8,000 since 1999, including $3,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $1,000 to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Andrew Lack, a former NBC News chief, gave $1,000 to Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) while NBCpresident, and Wright contributed $1,500–after the House committee Tauzin chairs held hearings on the networks' election night failures. NBC spokeswoman Allison Gollust said the network allows its executives to make contributions and that Wright "does not make any decisions specific to news coverage."
Wright, however, was reported in a recent New York magazine piece (10/3/10) to have told then-NBCNews chief Neal Shapiro to move to the right of Fox News in response to the September 11 attacks: "We have to be more conservative then they are," the magazine quoted Wright.
MSNBC's treatment of Olbermann is also in sharp contrast to Fox News' handling of Sean Hannity, who was revealed by Salon (9/23/10) to have given $5,000 to the campaign of Rep. Michele Bachmann (R.-Minn.), a Tea Party favorite–without Fox expressing any public disapproval. Hannity has allowed Republican candidates to use his Fox program for fundraising (Mediaite, 10/17/10); asSalon noted, Hannity was this year's keynote speaker at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner.
NBC and MSNBC – please explain your inconsistent standards regarding political donations.
Sincerely,
Margaret Copi,
Oakland, CA
-
Improved and Expanded Medicare for All!
Gentlemen;
Isn't it somewhat hypocritical to suggest that GE can donate to any right-wingnut, freakazoid, asshat it sees fit but Keith Olberman is denied the same benefit????????
Dear Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capus:
Your donation policy is nothing short of bogus and I hope your employees challenge it in court. If supporting politicians with money is a threat to journalistic independence for Mr. Olbermann, what are the standards for his bosses at NBC, and at NBC's parent company General Electric? When did America become a serfdom? When are you going to suspend Joe Scarborough or NBC chief executive Robert Wright for THEIR political donations? Why the double standard?
"NBC spokeswoman Allison Gollust said the network allows its executives to make contributions and that Wright "does not make any decisions specific to news coverage."
Please put Keith Olbermann back on the air now, if you want to keep a majority of your viewers, including me. I certainly will pledge right now to stop watching your programs if Olbermann remains suspended.
I recall that GE fired Phil Donahue for his liberal point-of-view (I'm sure that was the very thing that got him hired in the first place!). Mr. Donahue was against the invasion of Iraq under false pretexts, but MSNBC wanted to profit from the drum beat for war and to capitalize on the atmosphere of hate, intolerance and fear that allowed for the Iraq war to happen without being challenged by one single mainstream media outlet in the U.S.
MSNBC made a horrific error when it removed Mr. Donahue. Please don't make the same mistake with Mr. Olbermann.
Chantal
Dear Mr. Griffin,
How is it that Keith Olbermann is subjected to a humiliating suspension for contributing to political candidates when NBC has an inconsistent record with regard to such matters. Is it OK for Joe Scarborough to make such donations just because there is some inevident difference between the kinds of shows, or is it OK for GE to spend $32 million on political lobbyists and $2 million on their favorite politicians this year and run a news company? The reasoning is deeply flawed, unless one looks at your most important guiding principle – money – not morals, not social values, not beauty, not humanity. I will have to remember that, every time I think of the leaders at NBC and GE. I am forgetful sometimes.
But, I am sure Mr. Olbermann knew that coming in, he's no dummy. I am sure he saw what happened to Phil Donahue.
I just think it's really unfortunate.
I know, it's a business decision.
Thus have we made the world.
Stephen Fischer
5711 Betty Place
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Mr Capus, Griifin & MSNBC,
I am outraged that MSNBC has chosen to fire Keith Olberman for making private contributions of his own money to candidates he supports. As an American he has the right to support whomever he wishes to. Your competitors at FOX actively campaign and hold rallies for Republican and Tea Bag candidates. I suspect your real reason for suspending Olberman is the fact that he is the ONLY cable journalist following the money trail that supports this phony Tea Bag movement.
First you suspended David Shuster indefinitely for filming a CNN pilot, suspended Donny Deutsch, banned Markos Moulitsas, and reprimanded Ed Schultz. Let's not forget that MSNBC fired Phil Donahue, at the time your highest rated program, to make it easier to gin up support for the Iraq war. If it wasn't for Keith Olberman your network would be in the toilet of unwatched programming.
Mr Griffin, is a great disappointment. It he who should be suspended.
With Regrets,
Mark Lee Itzkowitz
Mr. Griffin, Mr. Capus and MSNBC:
As fans and regular viewers of Countdown — which is the primary reason I have continued my cable TV subscription — I am shocked and appalled at your action against Keith Olberman. I will be contacting MSNBC sponsors to demand each and every sponsor of MSNBC suspend advertising until you rescind the Olberman suspension.
T. Gary Mitchell
Attorney-at-Law
Eloise Bates
to steve.capus
show details 2:36 PM (1 minute ago)
Let me get this straight: corporations have freedom of speech (i.e., are allowed to make unlimited political contributions) but political commentators are not.
Hypocrisy much?
please stop this madness!! put olbermann back.
melissa
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, GE made over $2 million in political contributions in the 2010 election cycle (most coming from the company's political action committee). The top recipient was Republican Senate candidate Rob Portman from Ohio. The company has also spent $32 million on lobbying this year, and contributed over $1 million to the successful "No on 24" campaign against a California ballot initiative aimed at eliminating tax loopholes for major corporations (New York Times, 11/1/10).
Comcast, the cable company currently looking to buy NBC, has dramatically increased its political giving, much of it to lawmakers who support the proposed merger (Bloomberg, 10/19/10). And while Fox News parent News Corp's $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association caused a stir, GE had "given $245,000 to the Democratic governors and $205,000 to the Republican governors since last year," reported the Washington Post (8/18/10).
Olbermann's donations are in some ways comparable to fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough's $4,200 contribution to Republican candidate Derrick Kitts in 2006 (MSNBC.com, 7/15/07). When that was uncovered, though, NBC dismissed this as a problem, since Scarborough "hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter." Olbermann, of course, is also an opinion journalist–but MSNBC seems to hold him to a different standard.
Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capus:
COUNTDOWN is the ONLY program we watch on MSNBC. Please return Keith Olbermann to the air immediately. However, if you refuse to reinstate him, please reveal ALL recipients of YOUR political donations, and tell us how much you gave to them.
Dear Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capus:
When I read that you had suspended Keith Olbermann without pay I was distressed. As FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) notes: "…if supporting politicians with money is a threat to journalistic independence, what are the standards for Olbermann's bosses at NBC, and at NBC's parent company General Electric?
"According to the Center for Responsive Politics, GE made over $2 million in political contributions in the 2010 election cycle (most coming from the company's political action committee). The top recipient was Republican Senate candidate Rob Portman from Ohio. The company has also spent $32 million on lobbying this year, and contributed over $1 million to the successful "No on 24" campaign against a California ballot initiative aimed at eliminating tax loopholes for major corporations (New York Times, 11/1/10).
"Olbermann's donations are in some ways comparable to fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough's $4,200 contribution to Republican candidate Derrick Kitts in 2006 (MSNBC.com, 7/15/07). When that was uncovered, though, NBC dismissed this as a problem, since Scarborough 'hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter.' Olbermann, of course, is also an opinion journalist–but MSNBC seems to hold him to a different standard.
"Comcast, the cable company currently looking to buy NBC, has dramatically increased its political giving, much of it to lawmakers who support the proposed merger."
I would like to ask you to explain your inconsistent standards regarding political donations. Are you going after a certain point of view, perhaps? Get the progressive? Is that what this is about?
As a regular viewer of MSNBC, I would ask that you do not keep Keith Olbermann off the air. We who support Mr. Olbermann and his work will not take this lightly.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter. I hope it is resolved quickly.
Dear Mr. Griffin and Mr Capus,
As a long-time veiwer of MSNBC, and particularly of Keith Olbermann, and Rachel Maddow, I am shocked by your actions in suspending Mr Olberman. The hypocrisy of it is appalling considering how much money GE gave to candidates or political causes this year, and the fact it seems NBC executives are free to make contributions where they choose. It's not as if anyone believes Olbermann is a centrist, no opinions, 100% objective reporter and this now reveals him to be something different than his on-air persona. Every day on his broadcast Mr Olbermann is promoting primarily progressive views (and candidates) in his unique no-holds-barred style. We love him for it. The value of that airtime for progressive candidates is incalculably more than the $7200 he gave to three minor political candidates whom he didn't even focus on on the air. It seems ridiculous that he is punished for doing privately what you're de facto paying him to do publicly. If he konwingly violated some corporate policy, make him pay a fine and do a mea culpa on air – we, his loyal viewers would have just rolled our eyes at the silliness of it all and continued to watch and support MSNBC. To suspend him merely makes you look like over-reactive political players, not the purist newspeople you're trying to make yourselves out to be.
With great disappointment,
Erik T
GE is People Too!
Mr. Capus,
If Keith Olberman is not allowed to donate money to political candidates, then how about GE corporate and the big shots behind NBC?
They call the shots, so they are as involved in the programming as Keith is.
The Supreme Court considers a corporation as a person. So you corporate robots must be banned from donating too. Right?
No, you want your cake and eat it too.
This smacks of hypocrisy in the worst way.
We are now calling for a mass boycott of NBC. This will spread like the plague on the internet.
You will soon see your numbers fall if you do not reinstate Keith.
We mean business.
Sincerely,
Greg Banks
Connecticut
Dear Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capun
Keith Olberman's show is one of opnions and suspension of his popular show that got MSNBC top ratings is an unfair decision that I hope you will reconsider seriously. Your owners have contributed $multimillions to politicians and other commentators on NBC have also made small contributions like Olberman's without facing suspension. I could give more detailed verification of this, but I'm sure you know the facts as well as I do.
Like millions of other viewers, I looked forward to watching Keith every night that he was on. I hope you will hear from them as well, and most of all I hope you realize this was not a good decision and will change it immediately. Otherwise, the number of loyal viewers of MSNBC will most likely drop, drastically. Thank you for listening.
Thank you. This is good that many sources have put up links for us to respond. I have earlier toay, and now through fair.org actually e-mailed both Mr. Campus and Mr. Griffin respectively.
Sir,
As documented in various stories currently circulating – networks, parent companies et al have contributed heavily to political campaigns. Why was Keith Olberman singled out as a scapegoat (for WHAT?) and why are his contributions all of a sudden a problem?
Are we dealing with a double standard? Please explain what kind of rules and regulations apply here and there.
Thank you,
Peter Slonek
Dear Mr. Griffin:
Your actions in suspending Keith Olbermann for political contributions are reprehensible and without precedent. By your curious double standard, it's perfectly okay for Joe Scarborough to have made contributions to Republican candidates but not for Keith Olbermann to make contributions to Democratic candidates.
Curious and disturbing.
As of this moment onward I will no longer watch MSNBC until Keith Olbermann is reinstated.
Period.
Have you no shame, sir? At long last have you no sense of shame?
Winston Smith Farnsworth
Olympia WA
BTW, does anyone have a list of MSNBC sponsors so we can write letters to them as well?
I am highly disappointed to hear of MSNBC's indefinite suspension of Keith Olbermann. The excuse that the suspension was due to Olbermann's campaign contributions is a poor one, indeed. Why can one individual not donate money to Democratic candidates, yet another (i.e. Joe Scarborough in 2006) be permitted to donate to Republicans without the slightest reprimand? Your excuse in 2006 was that "Scarborough Country" was an opinion show. Funny. I thought "Countdown" was, as well.
On another level, there seems to be a blatant double standard between what a human being is permitted to do versus what a corporation is permitted to do. I speak specifically of GE's campaign contributions during the 2010 election cycle, totaling over $2 million, with recipients including a Republican Senate candidate from Ohio and a ballot initiative in California. The Citizens United ruling may have given corporations carte blanche to run roughshod over our democracy, but it did not deprive individuals of the right to fund campaigns of their choice.
In short, I ask that you not only reinstate Olbermann but also explain your actions. Why this shameful double standard?
Free Keith Olbermann!
To Phil Griffin, CC: Steve Capus
Dear Phil,
Please understand, MSNBC is making a mistake. You should drop the double standard that MSNBC demonstrates by suspending Keith Olbermann for making political donations.
Nobody imagines that Keith, or any journalist, is without political opinion–or should be. And the hypocrisy is blatant when MSNBC's parent company, GE, gives literally MILLIONS of dollars to candidates and PAC's each election cycle (over $2 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics), but then punishes employees for doing the same.
I avoid watching most television news these days, but had still been tuning in to MSNBC for Countdown and Rachael Maddow–two bright lights in an otherwise dim tv news universe. No more. Until I learn that MSNBC has reversed its policy and reinstated its sharpest and most entertaining news opinion anchor, I will not be watching Countdown or anything else on your network.
Regards,
Jay Marx
Washington, DC
Mr. Griffin,
Are you NUTS? Besides the obvious double standard, what you did to Keith Olbermann not only violates HIS rights as a private citizen, but also undermines the necessity for some "balance" to Fox News-do you have ANY idea how dangerous that station has become? Folks like us look to Keith and Rachel Maddow for some sanity, and you pulled the rug out from underneath your most popular spokesperson? Did Fox News send you flowers for your stupid mistake?
As someone wrote on another blog…."Bend Forward? More like "Bend Over." Please apologize and reinstate Keith Olbermann, or I too will no longer watch your station. Great "principles" Mr. Griffin-maybe YOU need to find another job, because the stakes are too high for the rest of us to allow whatever personal issues you have with Mr. Olbermann to silence him. Shame on you.
I wrote the following to both Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capus in separate emails:
As a regular viewer of Keith Olbermann's show i was shocked to hear that you had placed him on indefinite suspension over small donations to three Democratic candidates. I was shocked first because its not as if anyone was unclear about MSNBC's populist leanings, and second, because when compared to the amount that both GE and Comcast give to politicians it is a drop in the bucket. I sincerely doubt that this reflects some failure on his part to be objective and i hope that you will bring him back to his regular slot.
What i wanted to say was less congenial or respectful. It started "Dear Twit, who do you think you're kidding…" but i think those who support Mr. Olbermann don't need to hear the rest and those who don't, well who cares.
And Mr. Griffin,
MSNBC has ALWAYS been the first internet site I look at in the morning for my news. Not any longer.. How disturbing it is to discover that your parent company is no more than a Corporate hack who applies different standards to employees who do not donate to its opinion of what constitutes the "correct" campaigns. Just follow the money-obviously nothing else seems to be more important.
Rachel Maddow is stuck in a really bad position now…but I say "Run Rachel Run!" You're too smart, and principled, for this crap.
Dear Phil Griffin,
If this is how you guys play it, suspending Olbermann, when your parent company spends millions in "contributions" to folks like Ohio Republican Senate candidate Rob Portman, interfering in elections that are suppose to be 'of, by and for the people', shame on your company and parent company, ( I hope you personally were fighting for Olbermann, against the GE execs that are NBC!
I would like you to explain ~"The company has also spent $32 million on lobbying this year, and contributed over $1 million to the successful "No on 24" campaign against a California ballot initiative aimed at eliminating tax loopholes for major corporations, (New York Times, 11/1/10)." So GE likes the tax loopholes for corporations, California says thank you for caring enough to invest in our state!
(said with dripping sarcasm)
My understanding is that these rules are for NBC employees, not MSNBC anyway, so why is Olbermann being held to them? Olbermann not ethical enough for you? With a parent like GE, that has to be hard to say with a straight face. And could you explain to me why Joe Scarborough's contribution of almost $5,000 to a Republican was fine? Maybe if Olbermann had contributed to a Republican…? Hmm
Well, everything NBC, MSNBC and GE are off my plate until he is returned, and hopefully with a very heartfelt apology! I will not support MSNBC et al. with my time or money until you rectify this travesty~
Also, the comment lines (at 212-664-4444), are completely full, can't imagine why!
Please understand these kinds of actions will surely back fire on your organization,
To: Griffin, Wright, et al:
This ridiculous action is totally unfair, unequal enforcement, and unacceptable. Of course every citizen is entitled to support candidates of his/her choice, including on-air personalities. Citizens United decision allows corporations to pile on the donations, unfettered, anonymously. Your entire corporation has done it, Scarborough has done it, as well as many many others.
If Keith is axed, MSNBC hasn't got a chance in hell to remain viable.
This is a total violation of a persons right to support their candidate! What if he voted for someone you didn't approve of? FIRED!? Whats wrong MSNBC? Did you lose your balls or are you carrying them in your purse next to your tampons!
Dear Sirs,
I find MSNBC's indefinite suspension of Keith Olbermann for making a campaign contributions to be quite repugnant. Your network, through Mr. Olbermann has a strong voice in national politics and a valuable counterpoint to the lies promulgated by Fox News. From what I read his suspension has been done in a selective manner with previous pundits having been excused for this minor infraction of undemocratic corporate rules.
Do the right thing Mr. Griffin. Have Mr. Olbermann disclose his campaign contributions publicly and let's get on with seeing his point of view. This is not the time to miss seeing the truth of it.
Sincerely,
Tim Jones
Austin, Texas
Sent today to Capus and Griffin:
Sirs,
Is Olbermann making people uncomfortable in the NBC corporate boardroom?
Clearly MSNBC hired Olbermann to emulate Fox's success in the surely profitable news-with-analysis market. So now you suspend him for doing–very successfully–precisely what you hired him to do.
Even if the company wants to maintain the pretense of journalistic objectivity, you fail to properly respect the difference between his role as a public journalist and his rights as a private citizen, which you have no right to abridge, even by requiring signed compliance. I doubt that an employer can legally make a pledge never to vote, to take a clearer but parallel example, a condition of employment. I hope you will get come legal challenges on this one.
We regularly watch Olbermann and Maddow, brilliant analysts both. I hope she is not the next to be pressured. Please reinstate Olbermann at once.
Alex Dunlop
I just e-mailed Phil Griffin saying that this is ridiculous. I am a stock holder in GE; and this company spent $2 million in political contributions and spent $32 million in lobbying!
Come on. And Joe Scarborough gave $4,200. to Republican candidate(s.)
Keith Olbermann is the only person I could stand to watch on TV during the eight years of the Bush administration. He must be re-instated.
Then I went on to complain of the blatant fundraising on Fox (News) for tea party wackos like Sharon Angle and O"Donnell., with O'Hannity sharing in that mischief.
Thanks,
Well not what I would expect from a big Co. Wait Yes it is , just the kind of bull that big business would pull Now I don't need to watch your channel any more so fuck off GE/MSNBC
I write to you today to protest your condemnation of Keith Olbermann for making partisan political contributions. A journalist donating money to political candidates, while reporting on those candidates, raises obvious conflict of interest questions. As such news reporting is biased, there ought to be public disclosure of that fact. If not, the whole organization becomes suspect.
Which brings me to the "Hypocrisy" of NBC and MSNBC: The Center for Responsive Politics reports that General Electric, NBC's parent company, made over $2 million in political contributions in the 2010 election cycle! The company has also spent $32 million on lobbying this year, and contributed over $1 million to the successful "No on 24" campaign against a California ballot initiative aimed at eliminating tax loopholes for major corporations (New York Times, 11/1/10).
Comcast, the cable company currently looking to buy NBC, has dramatically increased its political giving, much of it to lawmakers who support the proposed merger (Bloomberg, 10/19/10). And while Fox News parent News Corp's $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association caused a stir, GE had "given $245,000 to the Democratic governors and $205,000 to the Republican governors since last year," reported the Washington Post (8/18/10).
Olbermann's donations are in some ways comparable to fellow MSNBC host Joe Scarborough's $4,200 contribution to Republican candidate Derrick Kitts in 2006 (MSNBC.com, 7/15/07). When that was uncovered, though, NBC dismissed this as a problem, since Scarborough "hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter." Olbermann, of course, is also an opinion journalist–but MSNBC seems to hold him to a different standard.
If your concern is about how giving money to politicians threatens journalistic independence, then companies like NBC should explain why their parent companies can lavish so much money on political candidates or causes with no concern about conflicts of interest or the need to disclose these donations to viewers.
If you lose Mr. Olbermann, you will be losing the best of news commentary your channel has to offer, possibly because he doesn't mince words. He has quite a following of advocates, and his supporters will follow him wherever he goes – if necessary, away from MSNBC.
Please explain the double standard of NBC and MSNBC regarding political donations.
Dear Steve Capus,
What the hell???! You have the audacity to fire Olbermann when GE gives gzillions to support the right wing agenda each and every year? Do you really think we are that stupid out here in TV Land to listen to this drivel? I thought MSNBC was better than that. You might as well be Fox News if this is the deceitful way you play it. I will encourage all my friends and family to boycott your station. This is ridiculous.
Susan Thorpe, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Dear Phil Griffin:
What is this actually about? It is ludicrous to think that Olbermann does not have a right as a citizen of the U.S. to contribute to any candidate of his choice. Good grief, with the latest call from the Supreme Court especially!!! YOU are nuts to think we will stand for this out here in TV land. Can you say boycott? I get along quite nicely without you and will continue to get my news off the internet and encourage all my friends to do the same if this is the way you are going to treat people who work in your employ. It is outrageous and silly of you. Why are you doing this???!!! Susan Thorpe, Tucson, Arizona
Sent today to Mr. Capus and Mr. Griffin:
As outlined by FAIR, it seems to me NBC has employed a double standard in its decision to suspend Keith Olbermann.
Could you please explain?
a&bw/jmc
***end***
Dear Mr. Griffin and Mr. Capus,
Your decision to suspend Keith Olberman, reeks of hypocrisy. He is, like Joe Scarborough, an opinion journalist. Why are you making up different criteria for the same alleged offense? Furthermore, your parent company freely makes political donations, do they not?
Keith is the most forthright, honest and authentic person on the MSNBC staff. He showed Rachel how it's done!
Say you're sorry and bring him back. Now more than ever we need him to show the way through the Fox obstacle course of lies.
I am outraged that Keith Olbermann has been suspended indefinitely for contributing to Democratic candidates this election cycle. That Joe Scarborough contributed to a Republican candidate without facing any repercussions suggests MSNBC has one standard for Republican hosts, and one for Democratic hosts.
If this not true, then Olbermann should be re-instated immediately.
His suspension does not even make financial sense given that he is the big money maker for the network.
Please correct this mistake and error in your judgment–reinstate Keith in time for Monday's show.
Sincerely,
Lee Levin
My e-mail reads:
Mr. Phil Griffin
MSNBC
Mr. Steve Capus
NBC News President
Dear Sirs:
I would greatly appreciate if you would explain to me your treatment of Keith Olbermann in comparison to your parent company\'s actions regarding political contributions. Do you not see any hypocrisy in your actions?
MSNBC has placed Mr. Olbermann on indefinite suspension without pay for alleged donations to three candidates who are Democrats; however his bosses at NBC and NBC\'s parent company General Electric have contributed vastly larger amounts to a Republican candidate and to lobbying, all without disclosure. Your hypocrisy is beyond the pale.
Please compare and consider your treatment of Mr. Olbermann to Fox\'s treatment of Sean Hannity who gave $5,000 to a Tea Party Republican without any negative treatment. Mr. Hannity also was a keynote speaker at a national Republican fundraising dinner. Again no action was taken against him. Fox\'s actions disgust me and I do not watch their alleged news programs. I hate to see MSNBC and NBC in the same (low) class as Fox.
If your concern in regard to Mr. Olbermann is that giving money to politicians threatens journalistic independence, then you need to explain why your parent companies can lavish so much money on political candidates or causes with no concern about conflicts of interest or the need to disclose these donations to viewers. The lesson here would seem to be that some of the workers shouldn't make political donations, but the bosses are free to give as much as they'd like. Anyone who watches Mr. Olbermann's show knows what his political views are.
In sum, if disclosure is your guiding star, then disclose what Mr. Olbermann\'s bosses and NBC\'s parent company\'s sponsors are contributing.
Please be fair.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments. I appreciate to hear what your thoughts on this matter are.
Please give my best regards to Mr. Olbermann.
All the best,
N.M. Koenig
Lubbock, Texas
Dear Mr. Griffin,
It is my understanding the Mr. Olbermann has been suspended without pay for donating to
three Democratic candidates. I do not know MSNBC's policies on that. Although Keith is a host
of an opinion show an not a news caster why is he being held accountable when Joe Scarborough
who gave to conservative candidates in 2006 was able to keep his job? Isn't he also an opinion
journalist? And didn't your parent company give hundreds of thousands to conservative candidates
and tens of millions to lobbying? Why not have the same standards for all involved. We all know
where Mr. Olbermann's views are politically. He makes no secrets about that.
So in conclusion, it is my opinion that Mr. Keith Olbermann should be reinstated to his position
of host of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann". Viewers mean money and by losing his loyal
viewers so goes profits.
It's quite clear that MSNBC's suspension of Olbermann for the publicly stated reason that he made political contributions doesn't hold up under context examination. If the parent corporation is allowed to make political donations, but the employees aren't, there is gross inequity in the political system. If corporations make donations as part of 1st amendment rights, then individuals must be allowed to do so, as well. In fact, other individuals in the organisation, including other commentators, have made donations with no repercussions.
Your organisation's suspension of Olbermann is unfair and should be rescinded immediately.
I sent one to Griffin and one to Capus. What I write is true: I like Rachel Maddow a lot, but really, I tune in for Olbermann's passion. Yes, I share Maddow's delight in the fact that it is a mad, mad, mad, mad world; but mostly, I'm unhappy that somehow the Republicans manage to get people to vote against their own best interests. (They also vote against their own best interests with Democrats too, but to a far lesser degree.)
Mr. Griffin-
I am against Keith Olbermann's suspension. For one thing, he is 90% of the reason I watch MSNBC at all. Certainly, he is an opinion-journalist. Although he is honest and fair, there is no question of this political opinions. I beg you to revoke the suspension immediately.
An issue associated with this is how Olbermann's giving small amounts of money to a few political figures is an issue when NBC News executives and GE itself are allowed to give far greater sums of money without there being any problem. Am I to believe that the political giving of Mr. Olbermann's bosses have no effect on the content of MSNBC, but that of Mr. Olbermann himself does?
And while I'm on the subject, just how is Olbermann different from Joe Scarborough? I mean, other than that Scarborough was giving to a Republican?
Revoke the suspension immediately. If Olbermann is not on, it is far less likely that I will be watching Maddow–much less The Ed Show or Last Word.
Thank you very much,
Frank Moraes, Ph.D.
If the concern is about how giving money to politicians threatens journalistic independence, then companies like NBC should explain why their parent companies can lavish so much money on political candidates or causes with no concern about conflicts of interest or the need to disclose these donations to viewers. The lesson here would seem to be that some of the workers shouldn't make political donations, but the bosses are free to give as much as they'd like. Anyone who watches Olbermann's show knows what his political views are. So what do the far larger contributions from GE tell us?
Why other MSNBCon-air personalities have not faced disciplinary action for contributing to political campaigns: Joe Scarborough donated to a Republican House candidate in 2006? Pat Buchanan, an official MSNBC contributor, made 5 political donations between 2005 and 2008.
Subject: Are you kidding me?
From: moonlightlady108@gmail.com
Date: November 5, 2010 5:37:57 PM HST
To: phil.griffin@nbcuni.com, steve.capus@nbcuni.com
If Olbermann's Donations Are Bad, What About Comcast's? GE's? Scarborough's?
A credible news organization cannot be run by hypocrites and remain credible.
I suggest you make reinstatement and apologizing to Olbermann your final acts
prior to resigning your positions.
Francine Pearson
Dear Mr. Griffin,
I am dismayed to learn that Keith Olbermann was suspended indefinitely for his donations to political campaigns. In the interest of journalistic integrity he should have disclosed his contributions on the air, but that could be achieved as a correction, not as a suspension. Mr. Olbermann is the most exciting journalist on the air and it is unfair to punish the viewers while you sort out whatever issues are occurring in your (dysfunctional?) MSNBC family. I urge you to reinstate him as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rebecca Eder
Now more than ever we need the depth and intelligence provided by Keith Olbermann.
Please rescind this unfair suspension. Your viewers are not the Fox Channel zombies. We are smart enough to identify and decry this double standard.
Marianne Richardson
Dear Sir,
Your firing of Keith Olbermann shows just how cowardly you really are. In doing so you have kowtowed to the right wing by trying to silence one of the few voices of sanity during this time of right wing insanity. You have shown where you convictions lie, with the big money corporations and that certainly includes the media that are destroying our country. May I suggest that perhaps you are giving a signal to Comcast, a company known for it's "screw the customer-we want the money" attitude along with its very right wing bent that you are afraid of losing your position and that money is more important to you than being morally and ethically correct.
It seems in your mind that it is ok for your parent company GE and soon to be parent company, Comcast to bribe legislators to vote their way, but it is not alright for an individual to support a candidate of their choice for legitimate reasons. "According to the Center for Responsive Politics, GE made over $2 million in political contributions in the 2010 election cycle (most coming from the company's political action committee). The top recipient was Republican Senate candidate Rob Portman from Ohio. The company has also spent $32 million on lobbying this year, and contributed over $1 million to the successful "No on 24" campaign against a California ballot initiative aimed at eliminating tax loopholes for major corporations (New York Times, 11/1/10)."
It was ok for right wing host Joe Scarborough to contribute to a right wing cause, but it isn't alright for "left wing" Keith Olbermann to contribute to candidates opposed by right wing nuts.
You sir, should be the one fired.
Wayne Beverly
Dear Mr. Griffin & Mr. Capus,
I am a regular viewer of MSNBC, and I find it odd that your rules barring political giving only extend to news hosts, but not to their bosses NBC, its parent company GE or, the most blatant of political bribery operations, Comcast, which is apparently in the process of buying your company.
Perhaps you could explain to me why, as the people at FAIR point out: "…parent companies can lavish so much money on political candidates or causes with no concern about conflicts of interest or the need to disclose these donations to viewers. The lesson here would seem to be that some of the workers shouldn't make political donations, but the bosses are free to give as much as they'd like. Anyone who watches Olbermann's show knows what his political views are. So what do the far larger contributions from GE tell us?"
Keith Olbermann one of the very few national news personalities who still practice real journalism. The founders of this country gave us freedom of the press in order to defend against tyranny, and journalism at its best DEFENDS the public interest, challenging the rich and powerful, and helping to expose corruption. Mr. Olbermann does all those things, and he is valued by myself and millions of other Americans as a result.
I hope you will put him back to work right away.
Sincerely,
Robert Soper Jr.
I do think it is a conflict of interest for someone in Keith Olbermann's position to give money to political candidates. At the same time, for MSNBC to suspend him, for something its parent corporation does on such an exponentially greater scale, is grossly hypocritical.
I sent the following to both Phil Griffin and Steve Capus:
Regarding the suspension of Keith Olbermann, I understand that it is a conflict of interest for a journalist to contribute money to a political campaign. Why then does GE, as the parent company of NBC and MSNBC, not hold itself to the same standard it requires of its employees? Mr. Olbermann's contribution of $7200 to 3 candidates is a miniscule amount, compared to the $2 billion GE gave to candidates in the November 2 election, and the $32 billion it spent on lobbying in the past year. How does that kind of conduct not taint your entire news operation?
Sincerely,
Deborah Van Kleef
Cleveland, Ohio