For those of us who have watched what is happening to MSNBC over the last several years, it’s worth reading these two stories (here and here) and watching this video.
They reveal a network increasingly at war with itself, with anchors and correspondents insulting each other on the air. Not surprisingly, the problem seems to center on Keith Olbermann, who has established a reputation as a very difficult person to work with everywhere he has gone–whether at ESPN, at MSNBC in the 1990’s, or at Fox Sports. Olbermann is a man, on television at least, consumed by rage and various hatreds. Once MSNBC decided he would become its most visible public face, it was only a matter of time before turmoil would set in.
It’s worth noting that Tom Brokaw, the longtime anchor of NBC News and currently the moderator of Meet the Press, has conceded that Olbermann and Chris Matthews have stepped over the line several times. At a panel discussion in Denver on Sunday, Brokaw admitted what every sentient person knows: “I think Keith has gone too far. I think Chris has gone too far.” Brokaw went on to say that they are “commentators” and “not the only voices” on MSNBC and viewers could sort it out.
In fact, Olbermann has been cast in the role of not only an MSNBC commentator but also a host, where presumably some modicum of objectivity would be expected. But Olbermann is the antonym of objectivity.
Brokaw has had other on-air differences with Olbermann. For example, in June, Brokaw criticized the rabidly pro-Obama Olbermann for suggesting that Clinton was attempting to “shoehorn” her way into the press coverage, saying, “I think that’s unfair, Keith.” Unfair, of course–and utterly predictable.
MSNBC has made a conscious decision to turn itself into the hard-left cable news network. That has led to an increase in the number of viewers, at least in the short run. But it has also besmirched the brand of NBC News, which was once a serious and respected news organization. Thanks to Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, and company, that’s no longer the case. And now, after successfully tearing down NBC’s name, they seem eager to tear down one another.
Roger Ailes must be smiling.
