Olbermann better suited for ESPN

Funny on the adult side of NBC -Brian Williams/ Tom Brokaw/ David Gregory - they were praising some of Republican speeches as Olberman and crew were making fun of them.

I think Matthews has some intellectual honesty and even he seemed frustrated at direction that Olberman and Maddow were going.

 

Olbermann's kind of journalism has always been about balancing his own interests (ratings, big-dollar contracts and political agendas) with the necessity to offer a good product. These days, it's far out of balance. Dare I say, he was drunk on his own fame. Sometimes, we need to be reminded where the lines are drawn. A lot of folks could benefit from such an elbow to the ribs.

 

Murdoch making contributions is not the same as on-air talent doing it. You trying to tell me that the heads of Viacom, Comcast, etc. never made donations to a campaign.

 

Well put.

Then again, are we supposed to hold all pundits to the same standard? What about those who worked for presidents before they entered the news world? Would it be wrong for Dana Perino or George Stephanopoulus to give to a campaign?

 

Or every commercial they've ever made.

 

That's a good point. Olbermann shouldn't be allowed to anchor anything that is supposed to be news any more than Beck should.

Beyond that, I really don't have a huge problem with what he did. It's not like anyone was stunned to find out he supported liberal candidates. Then again, would anyone be stunned if Katie Couric did as well?

 

Murdoch's own shareholders sweated him for it.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/1010/Murdoch_grilled_over_News_Corp_political_donations.html

 

NBC policy seems pretty clear:

"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.”

Doubt campaign donations would have been approved.

 

It says a lot about MSNBC that they would let him anchor news coverage. He's a talk show host, not an anchor.

 

Exactly why he was pulled off anchor detail on NBC side during Presidential election- His performance during conventions was disgraceful. Tom Brokaw - a man of great credibility supposedly got the ear of management and on election night Olberman was relegated to a bit part.

 

The official reason: Olbermann was suspended: contributing money to candidates.

The real reason: Olbermann is a high maintenance douchecanoe whose talent is only surpassed by his ego and his ability to be inflexible and petty. He has never played well with others and eventually babysitting him just isn't worth it.

He handed MSNBC an excuse -- and it was very stupid to do so. He can bring all of those candidates on the air, toss them softballs and be their unofficial fundraiser the same way Hannity brought in money for Sharron Angle. He didn't have to give them $$$, just let them have his platform. I highly doubt Olbermann will be a NBC employee during the 2012 race and wouldn't be shocked if he is off the network before 2011. This was the first move in another messy employment divorce for Olbermann.

 

Funny that he used Murrow's line as a sign-off for so long, guessing Murrow never donated to political campaigns. Then again he was also a journalist, not a broadcaster/entertainer like Olbermann. Too people don't know/care about the difference anymore.