Keith Olbermann suspended over political donations

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was suspended indefinitely for making campaign donations to three Democratic congressional candidates, apparently in violation of NBC News ethics policy.

The announcement came in a one-sentence statement from MSNBC TV President Phil Griffin: "I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay." Olbermann acknowledged the donations in a statement to Politico, saying he gave the maximum legal donation of $2,400 to Arizona Reps Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords and Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, who waged an unsuccessful campaign for the Senate against Tea Party standard-bearer Rand Paul. Like most news organizations, NBC News, parent of MSNBC TV, prohibits political contributions by its journalists without prior approval of the president. Olbermann said he did not encourage his viewers or other staff members to donate to the candidates. "I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns, nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level," Olbermann said.

The Progressive Campaign Change Committee, which pushes progressive causes and candidates, has launched an online petition drive to try and get Keith Olbermann reinstated.