MSNBC television suspended conservative morning host Joe Scarborough for two days for giving money to political candidates, meting out the same punishment given to liberal host Keith Olbermann two weeks ago for a similar offense.
Scarborough said the donations went to his brother and three longtime family friends and he wrongly believed the personal nature of the gifts exempted him from the NBC News policy on campaign contributions.
"This morning Joe Scarborough informed me that he made eight contributions of $500 each to local candidates in Florida between 2004-08," MSNBC President Phil Griffin said in a statement.
"Since he did not seek or receive prior approval for these contributions, Joe understands that I will be suspending him for violating our policy."
Scarborough will return to his "Morning Joe" program on Wednesday.
The policy is adopted from that of NBC News, MSNBC's broadcast partner, which attempts to protect the news organization's image as unbiased.
Somewhere today Keith Olbermann is smiling.
Personally I kind of think it is a silly policy, especially considering that both Keith and Joe host programs that are focused on their opinions, and not straight news shows. But if they are going to have this policy then of course it must be fairly enforced.
o/t
ReplyDeletehttp://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/dancing_with_the_stars_11/2010_Nov_19_vote_producer
I detest Scarborough-of-the-dead -girl-in-office-scandal.
ReplyDeleteIs this thing about MSNBC people getting whapped upside the head for some personal contributions, being touted as a big deal, on the Fox Proganda Channel?
ReplyDeleteIT BETTER NOT BE, considering how most everyone working there, is shilling for Republicans like there is no tomorrow.
If they had a rule like this on Fox, they'd be running DEAD AIR for the next few weeks.
The higher up at NBC/MSNBC gave large sums of money to the republicans, yet the staff is forbidden to do he same?
ReplyDeleteHypocracy knows no bounds.
The suspension of Scab-borough was a ruse by Griffin to make his suspension of Olbermann seem more of a matter of balance.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy it. I think this is a construction specifically designed by Griffin, with Scab-borough going along, to make Griffin look like less of an asshole.
Sorry! Doesn't work