NBC's Overkill Suspending Keith Olbermann

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright November 6, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                                

              Suspending MSNBC News anchor Keith Olbermann Friday Nov. 4 for making political contribution to Democratic candidates, NBC-Universal President Phil Griffin put his foot down.  “I became aware of Keith’s political contributions late last night.  Mindful of NBC policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay,” said Griffin.  Olberamnn’s popular primetime show “Countdown,” has improved MSNBC’s Nielson ratings, though the network still takes a backseat to FOXNews.  Olberman made $2,400 maximum contributions to Kentucky senate candidate Jack Conway [who lost to Rand Paul] and to Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  Olbermann violated NBC’s ethics rule banning news employees from contributing to political candidates or causes.  Griffin retains the right to reinstate Olbermann at any time.

            Olbermann’s long-running feud with FOXNew’s Bill O’Reilly boosted ratings for both cable networks.  FOXNews Presdient Roger Ailes, former communication director of former President George H.W. Bush, cuts his broadcast journalists as much slack as they want to opine while, presumably, delivering news.  Olbermann designed his show “Countdown” as a rejoinder to FOXNews, taking more and more editorial liberties over the years, since launching in 2003.  Griffin’s mover to sacrifice Olbermann didn’t sit well within the liberal and conservative-leaning cable news communities.  Speculation already swirled about Comcast’s growing conservative influence since buying NBC-Universal.  Griffin’s knee-jerk action, though technically correct, shows tone deafness to political correctness.  Griffin’s action doesn’t sit well with commentators and journalists on both sides of the aisle.

             Since covering extensively on “Cuntdown” O’Reilly’s sexual harassment problems with FOXNews producer Andrea Mackris in 2004, Olbermann grew more impatient with a straight news format, turning instead to commentary.  Keith tripled MSNBC’s primetime ratings, jumping CNN, though lagging behind O’Reilly and FOXNews.  Olbermann often criticizes FOXNews for crossing the journalistic line supporting conservative causes and candidates.    He was especially critical of FOXNews’ million-dollar contributions to two IRS 527 political organizations.  Olbermann assumed his pittance paid to a few Democratic candidates would go unnoticed.  “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 a an impartial journalist . . .” said Griffin.

            Regardless of NBC policy, Griffin could have easily dealt with the situation differently.  Firing one of MSNBC’s top stars displays a kind of arbitrariness bound to antagonize the network’s audience.  Whether or not you liked Keith’s politics, he had a loyal following with his left-leaning audience.  Firing or suspending him for making contributions to Democratic candidates couldn’t be more hypocritical.  It’s too late for networks like FOXNews and MSNBC to change their stripes with respect to right or left-leaning editorial positions.  FOXNews and MSNBC deliberately cultivate right and left-leading audiences.  Anchors like Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews don’t hide their left-wing biases.  Griffin needs to get out of his ivory tower and stop pointing fingers at only one on-air talent.  Suspending Olbermann can only backfire on MSNBC’s  ratings and credibility.

            Pretending to subscribe to the standard of journalistic neutrality only hurts MSNBC’s credibility.  Left-leaning audiences look forward and enjoy the liberal bias seen in Olbermann, Maddow and Matthews’ shows.  Griffin’s decision to suspend Olbermann reflects a back-story not yet known publicly.  “He’s not a reporter.  It’s an opinion show.  If Olbermann wants to put his money where his mouth is, more power to him,” said conservative Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, finding Griffin’s action’s hypocritical.  When so much of cable news reflects political preferences, Griffin engaged in overkill singling out Olbermann.  As Kristol put it, contributing to political campaigns is a far cry from taking cash-for-coverage on news stories.  Olbermann’s left-wing bias has been known, approved and blessed by MSNBC’s programming and upper management for years.

            NBC’s Phil Griffin did more to damage his network by suspending Keith Olbermann than a phony attempt to preserve journalistic integrity.  Griffin had no problem for years directing MSNBC to be the liberals’ answer to the more popular FOXNews.  Regardless of MSNBC’s corporate rules, fingering Olbermann exposes the network to increased liability, especially for wrongful termination.  Olbermann crossed the line holding hands with his liberal colleagues at MSNBC.  There’s no excuse to publicly humiliate their No. 1 primetime on-air talent, other than egregious grandstanding.   Griffin, not Olbermann, should step aside without pay for endangering shareholders by messing with the network’s biggest drawing card.  Network executives must show more common sense and do more than pull out the rulebook to deal with a simple PR crisis.

.About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2012 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.