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Uber-Liberal MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, after learning his suspension from the network would last all of four days (including a weekend), has issued an apology to the viewers of Countdown. As for an apology to the network: don’t hold your breath.
Olbermann “tweeted” a prepared statement last night and, like his show, it’s more sarcastic than anything else.
In the letter, Olbermann bashes his bosses at MSNBC more than he apologizes for what he did. See an excerpt after the jump:
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.
Olbermann was suspended last week after news broke that he contributed
thousands of dollars to the campaigns of two Arizona Congressional
candidates — a violation of MSNBC’s ethics policies. MSNBC president Phil Griffin announced over the weekend that the suspension would end tonight — after missing only two shows.
“After
several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined
that suspending Keith through and including Monday night’s program is an
appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy,” MSNBC
president Phil Griffin said in a statement released last night. “We look
forward
to having him back on the air Tuesday night.”
Olbermann contributed $2,400 — the maximum amount allowed under
election law — to the campaigns of Democratic Congressional Candidates
Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, both of whom won their re-election
bids last week.
In an attempt to appear objective, MSNBC’s ethics policy clearly states
that employees are not permitted to donate money to a campaign without
the permission of the network’s president.
“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,” it says. “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.”
Olbermann never got the network’s permission and paid the (ahem) price.
Check out his full “apology” here.
