sooz08 wrote:
I've only seen Olbermann on air a few times ~ I think he does a better-than-most job of explaining of why/how he got to his opinions and presenting supporting facts ~ the subliminal message here is one of perception ~ we all know perception can/does sway public opinion ~
John, I agree with your differentiation between Olbermann and Beck ~ it's my understanding that most of the big media outlets do have policies either forbidding or restricting/governing political [and other civic] involvement that could be used to tweak that subliminal message of perception ~ NBC/MSNBC does have corporate policy governing political contributions that requires reporting and prior approval ~ Olbermann chose to thumb his nose at that policy for whatever reason ~ that is, I'm sure, a violation of his contract terms ~ so I'm curious what kind of 'punishment' you think would have been appropriate ~
Sooz
I'm not so sure Olbermann thumbed his nose at the policy. I'm also not sure about the policy.A STATEMENT TO THE VIEWERS OF COUNTDOWN
by Keith Olbermann
I want to sincerely thank you for the honor of your extraordinary and
ground-rattling support. Your efforts have been integral to the remedying of
these recent events, and the results should remind us of the power of
individuals spontaneously acting together to correct injustices great or small. I
would also like to acknowledge with respect the many commentators and
reporters, including those with whom my politics do not overlap, for their
support.
I also wish to apologize to you viewers for having precipitated such anxiety
and unnecessary drama. You should know that I mistakenly violated an
inconsistently applied rule – which I previously knew nothing about – that
pertains to the process by which such political contributions are approved by
NBC. Certainly this mistake merited a form of public acknowledgment and/or
internal warning, and an on-air discussion about the merits of limitations on
such campaign contributions by all employees of news organizations. Instead,
after my representative was assured that no suspension was contemplated, I
was suspended without a hearing, and learned of that suspension through the
media.
You should also know that I did not attempt to keep any of these political
contributions secret; I knew they would be known to you and the rest of the
public. I did not make them through a relative, friend, corporation, PAC, or
any other intermediary, and I did not blame them on some kind of convenient
'mistake' by their recipients. When a website contacted NBC about one of the
donations, I immediately volunteered that there were in fact three of them; and
contrary to much of the subsequent reporting, I immediately volunteered to
explain all this, on-air and off, in the fashion MSNBC desired.
I genuinely look forward to rejoining you on Countdown on Tuesday, to
begin the repayment of your latest display of support and loyalty - support and
loyalty that is truly mutual.
--K.O.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/41623358/A-Statement-to-the-Viewers-of-Countdown