By SAM SCHECHNER
MSNBC suspended talk-show host Keith Olbermann indefinitely Friday afternoon following a report that Mr. Olbermann donated to three Democratic candidates in the recent midterm elections.
"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," Phil Griffin, president of the General Electric Co. news channel, said in a statement Friday. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."
Mr. Olbermann's contributions emerged Friday in an article on Politico, the Web site and newspaper owned by Allbritton Communications Co. In the article, Mr. Olbermann acknowledged that he had given the maximum legal donations in late October to two Arizona members of Congress, and failed U.S. senate candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky.
A representative for Mr. Olbermann could not immediately be reached for comment.
NBC News generally prohibits staff from overtly political activity, such as contributions, and requires employees to seek permission in questionable situations, an MSNBC spokesman said.
The MSNBC spokesman said political writer and MSNBC contributor Chris Hayes would substitute for Mr. Olbermann in his 8 p.m. time slot on Friday
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