MSNBCers have been exempt from those NBC policy rules for years..so shouldn't they be suspending

[HipChick]

Larry Kudlow too

CNBC's Lawrence Kudlow, host of the Kudlow Report, donated $1,000 to former Republican congressman Chris Shays in May of 2009.

Unless Kudlow got explicit permission from the president of NBC News, this places him in direct violation of the NBC News ethics policy that led to the indefinite suspension of MSNBC host Keith Olbermann today:

"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."

The Shays donation is one of multiple Kudlow has made since joining CNBC.

Update: Both of the hosts of CNBC's "The Strategy Session" also made political donations this cycle. Gary Kaminsky gave $1,000 to Mitt Romney's Free & Strong America PAC and David Faber gave $1,500 to Republican candidate Nan Hayworth, who beat Rep. John Hall in New York's 19th.


http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/nbc/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/11/05/nbc_larry_kudlow

http://gawker.com/5682789/msnbc-doesnt-answer-to-nbc-news-standards?skyline=true&s=i

But according to an NBC News source, MSNBCers have been exempt from those rules for years.

NBC News rules explicitly bar employees from making political donations without prior approval, which is ostensibly why Griffin suspended Olbermann. But according to one NBC News insider, it's common knowledge within the organization that MSNBC's increasingly left-wing programming and personalities aren't required to abide by NBC News' exacting rules—if they were, it would be a much less bombastic and politically charged network. So while Olbermann's donations may have run counter to the NBC News brand and Griffin's wishes, there doesn't appear to be a chapter-and-verse policy applying to MSNBC employees barring them.

"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."

[Echotrail]

1. So long, Kudlow. You violated network policy, too.

So, Griffin. What are you waiting for?

[HipChick]

2. If it's being selectively applied, I hope Keith sues...

[baldguy]

3. Apparently the "rules" only are enforced when Democrats get the donations.

[Gold Metal Flake]

4. Lots of people ignoring the quotes in this thread.

[Leopolds Ghost]

5. "Increasingly left wing?"

KO and Rachel defended Obama's and Pelosi's increasingly right wing "progressive" policies like mandatory privatization of health care. They were good soldiers.

OK, so those two might be classified as "bombastic" but that only means they need to lighten up... yelling at the TV doesn't help if you have no sense of humor.

No, this is about taking the network to the far right to compete with Fox, and everyone on the blogs is either making a concerted effort to prevent this guy from being fired or else you are pissing in the wind, thinking this decision will be reversed. It will not be unless there are consequences for the media conglomerates' actions. And yet most DUers still act like cable TV is a necessary public utility, not something they can switch off if their bosses' actions don't suit them.

This is bad KARMA for all the other journalists people SNEERED at when THEY got fired for being "too moderate", "didn't get along with my favorite progressive talk show host", brought up issues of racism, etc.

If Big Ed got fired people would be cheering... more bad KARMA bring on the circular firing squad.

No, people don't see that it's NOT the stated reason that is designed to appeal to self-righteous bloggers, ("oh, but so and so gave money too!" You think they give a shit?) It's a campaign to silence the media across the board. They'd do it to a RWer too if he went off the reservation. THERE IS A RESERVATION and EVERYONE WHO RELIES ON CABLE FOR THEIR INFO IS ON IT.

[leftstreet]

6. +1