Keith Olbermann has a right to donate money, but if he wants to be a
journalist, he should not have done so. Impartiality and independence
are essential to the integrity of a journalist and a story. A journalist
who covers or comments on politics should not give money to any
politician because one can't be unbiased if they have a dog in the
fight. To give money is to join the action, not review or cover it.
MSNBC's policy to require permission to give money is not oppressive; it
upholds standards of journalist integrity so that the line between
journalistic commentator and entertainer does not become a blurry one in
the eyes of the public. If MSNBC
let their journalists participate in the political process without
transparency is to sacrifice any distinction between them and FOX.
