Olberman suspended by MSNBC

**david gibson** · 11-06-2010, 03:28 PM

but doesnt suspension just mean temporary? he wasnt axed. just a few days off without pay and the mouth returns...

**subroc** · 11-06-2010, 04:08 PM

don't worry about olberman, I expect he will be on some football show this weekend telling some 22 year old first year pro that he is the worst person in the world.

**JDogger** · 11-06-2010, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by david gibson

but doesnt suspension just mean temporary? he wasnt axed. just a few days off without pay and the mouth returns...

I imagine somewhere, a group of lawyers is busy hashing this out. It's what liberals do. NBC can't fire him for such a petty contract violation. They would then have to honor and pay his contract. It's all just a legal game setting up negotiations. Does any of this have to do with Comcasts proposed purchase of NBC? Whadda you think?
Like the commentators at Fox, Olberman is not a journalist. He is an opinionator and entertainer. Maybe KO LLC has just as much right to political free speech as any other corporation. I thought we wanted an unrestricted level playing field?
This will play itself out. In the final analysis parties and politics will count for little. What will count, is can the CO's that control the various media make a buck selling Prius's to you and me?

Good lookin' pup BTW, Enjoy JD

**cotts135** · 11-07-2010, 06:36 AM

It's funny how others in the network are allowed to make political contributuions but not Olberman. In 2006 Joe Scarborough gave $4200 to Derrick Kitts (R-OR) and between 2005-2008 Pat Buchanan made five contributions to Republican candidates, totaling $2250 and there are others.
My suspicion is that this has something to do with the new owners of MSNBC, Cox Communications. I believe they were just looking for away to terminate him and this was there chance.

**BonMallari** · 11-07-2010, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by cotts135

It's funny how others in the network are allowed to make political contributuions but not Olberman. In 2006 Joe Scarborough gave $4200 to Derrick Kitts (R-OR) and between 2005-2008 Pat Buchanan made five contributions to Republican candidates, totaling $2250 and there are others.
My suspicion is that this has something to do with the new owners of MSNBC, Cox Communications. I believe they were just looking for away to terminate him and this was there chance.

if you read the article the infraction is not that Olberman donated to the campaigns, the infraction is that he failed to disclose to his employers that he donated to those campaigns....when I used to watch CNBC they would always run the disclaimer that their on air talent had divested themselves of any market involvement

**cotts135** · 11-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by BonMallari

if you read the article the infraction is not that Olberman donated to the campaigns, the infraction is that he failed to disclose to his employers that he donated to those campaigns....when I used to watch CNBC they would always run the disclaimer that their on air talent had divested themselves of any market involvement

There seems to be some confusion on what is the real cause of his suspension. I have seen some conflicting accounts on what was the real cause. Regardless though as I see it, some people did not like him and didn't want him around anymore so this seemed like a good opportunity to dump him.
Although I am not certain this specific language was in his contract this is the corporate policy of NBC news the parent company of MSNBC

"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."

Two things stand out about this, the first Keith Olberman is far from an impartial journalist at least most people would agree with this. The other point is that it says that " you should report any conflicts of interest"

Should is a far cry from "will" and is open to a wide interpretation.