"NBC News Source: Our Rules Don't Apply to Olbermann and MSNBC"

[negativenihil]

http://gawker.com/5682789/nbc-news-source-our-rules-dont-apply-to-olbermann-and-msnbc

This just got REAL interesting.....

"The standards department has told us that MSNBC doesn't answer to NBC News standards," the insider said. "They don't have coverage over MSNBC. They used to, back before MSNBC went political, but at some point it became too hard and MSNBC was taken out of their portfolio. As far as I know, there are no ethical standards at MSNBC. And if NBC says MSNBC is supposed to be living up to the NBC News standards, that's a preposterous lie."

[LSparkle]

1. Uh-oh ... sounds like the Comcast angle may be true ...

Any excuse to scuttle an annoyance ...

[EFerrari]

15. What is the Comcast angle? I missed that piece. n/t

[LSparkle]

19. Comcast purchase of NBC Universal (maybe GE overall) being finalized

and Comcast is rightwing.

[EFerrari]

22. Ah! Thank you. n/t

[suffragette]

29. More on the Comcast connection here

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/what-role-did-comcast-play-keith-olbermanns

[EFerrari]

35. Thanks and tweeted. n/t

[PearliePoo2]

2. "This just got REAL interesting".....

yes it did...the plot thickens.

[Poboy]

3. recommend. -nt

[Renew Deal]

4. I've heard that before too.

There were stories that NBC News division and Brokaw were not happy with MSNBC.

[Kalyke]

6. Why - because people would rather watch Keith than Tom?

[Renew Deal]

11. Tom was off the air by then

It's because of the stuff written in the OP.

[Kalyke]

20. I was being facetious.

:hi:

[Parker CA]

5. Kick and Rec!

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Sure hope that Politico AND Phil what's-his-face have to apologize to Keith...and us.

[katty]

8. that is true NBC is broadcast net and MSNBC is cable

there is a difference re: rules and regs

[negativenihil]

9. this is seriously making my head spin... n/t

[sabrina 1]

10. I hope Keith has a good lawyer.

Because according to MSNBC's own policies, Keith was not obligated to report his contributions, since his political views are well known.

"If a contribution, monetary or otherwise, to a candidate or group with a political or social agenda could create the appearance of a conflict of interest due to the employee’s responsibilities at MSNBC.com, the contribution must receive the prior approval of the section Executive Producer or Editor in Chief.

Where was there a conflict of interest? Everyone knows where Keith stands on politics, including MSNBC when they hired him.

I expect he will be back very soon as they had no grounds to suspend him.

[negativenihil]

12. do you have a direct link to this? thanks n/t

[charlie]

14. Link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19178161/

[AlabamaLibrul]

16. MSNBC, 2007

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19178161/

[sabrina 1]

30. Yes, sorry.

I posted it in this OP ~ http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9489843

[Egnever]

13. He had the guy on his show

without disclosing the donation. Thats a clear conflict of interest if you ask me.

[EFerrari]

17. In what universe has Olbermann presented himself as an objective journalist?

He's clearly an Oped guy.

[Egnever]

26. SO?

that doesnt mean he shouldnt disclose his associations.

[EFerrari]

28. What happened to your "conflict of interest" argument?

And being publicly supportive of Democrats is a disclosure.

[Egnever]

32. he promoted the guy on his show without disclosing he donated directly to the guy

thats a lot different than generaly supporting dems. Its crappy ethics and if you want to stand up for that sort of journalism cause kieth does it by all means go to it. I wont be joining you in cheering the further degredation of our media just because its someone we like.

[EFerrari]

37. Oh, brother. Opinion is not journalism, it's opinion.

And from what I gather, the donation was made after the appearance, not before.

I don't even watch Olbermann but the lengths that people are going to in defending this bs is just sad.

[Egnever]

38. clearly we dissagree.

I find the pathetic excuses made for a news anchor unwilling to follow basic ethics of journalism equaly as sad.

[frylock]

41. he's not a news anchor FFS

[Bozita]

18. Did the donation come before or after the appearance?

[Egnever]

24. Suposedly the same day

I dont know if it was that day before or after.

[EFerrari]

39. After. And it looks like it's not even that one that is the problem

with the new owners at Comcast.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9490298&mesg_id=9491014

[sabrina 1]

36. Like Joe Scarborough did?

The policy has been to keep their leanings quiet. But Keith was hired BECAUSE of his leanings, so according to their own rules, he was not required to refrain from donating to a political party.

He has had many Democrats on his show, that is what he does. That's why we watch him. But it is the height of hypocrisy to suspend a liberal commenter for doing exactly what a conservative commenter did without being suspended.

They need to make up their minds.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. This is time to lawyer up

[HereSince1628]

25. Yes, I'd say that's correct.

[Poboy]

23. .

[LaurenG]

27. We should probably figure out what rules MSNBC does apply then

I seriously doubt anyone from MSNBC (who matters) really wants to see Keith suspended. He's a grand money maker for them and well loved there as well from my understanding.

[Babyhoneylips]

31. uh-oh msnbc! nt.

[GeorgeGist]

33. "As far as I know, there are no ethical standards at MSNBC"

well there you go. :sarcasm:?

[haifa lootin]

45. LOL! Thanks, I was starting to wonder if I imagined seeing that!

:silly:

[Odin2005]

34. KO needs get get some lawyers ready and SUE their asses!

[newblewtoo]

40. careful now, he could end up

like Randy Moss or Juan Williams, traded to the competition. :sarcasm:

[Individualist]

42. Exactly. I hope he sues Comcast and MSRNC for megamillions.

[Divine Discontent]

43. and shares it with everyone at DU. lol..

[glinda]

44. They are the new Republi-gods.