Olbermann Apologizes to Viewers in Letter

In this file photo, Keith Olbermann talks about his show "Countdown" at the Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour July 22, 2006, in Pasadena, Calif.

/ AP Photo

Keith Olbermann has written a letter to "Countdown" viewers thanking them for their support during his suspension from MSNBC. He attempts to explain what he thinks transpired before, during and after his time off the air.

Olbermann's letter, which appears on the Scribd website, begins with a thank you to his viewers for their "extraordinary and ground-rattling support." His writes that it's only the efforts of viewers that led to his reinstatement Tuesday night. He also thanks reporters and commentators for supporting him even though they may not share political views.

Keith Olbermann Suspended from MSNBC

Keith Olbermann Returns to Air on Tuesday

Throughout the letter, Olbermann makes clear - without saying so explicitly - that he is in no way apologizing to MSNBC or its parent company, NBC. He claims that an NBC rule that dictates journalists may not openly support political candidates is "inconsistently applied" and that he didn't know about the rule before his contributions created a controversy.

Olbermann writes that he "did not attempt to keep any of these political contributions secret; I knew they would be known to [viewers] and the rest of the public. I did not make them through a relative, friend, corporation, PAC, or any other intermediary, and I did not blame them on some kind of convenient 'mistake' by their recipients."

In other words, Olbermann makes no apology for his political views and he writes that he volunteered to explain everything "on-air and off, in the fashion MSNBC desired."

The letter closes with thanks for the loyalty from Olbermann's audience, which he writes is mutual.

Read the entire letter here.

[Empire--George--]

Take a look at today's cartoon in the ny post. Kind of tells it all.

http://www.nypost.com/opinion/cartoons/delonas.htm

[realist51]

Its great that the owner of fox can make a million dollaar contribution to the republicant's and the only out cry is from the left. Oberman makes an individual contribution and his corperation suspends him. exercise your corperate rights and its fine with all exercise your individual constitutional right and the right wingers are quick to be hypocrices again. long live the corporations

[jwind1]

Hmmm, you sound angry at republicans.....probably blame them for your poor spelling skills huh?

[cbs_tom]

What does Fox News or the Republicans have to do with decisions made from MSN. MSN nortoriously leans left on most issues. That is their right. As much as I disagree with Keith's presentation abilities, it was ridiculous to suspend him.

[jwind1]

Did he fly in all 6 viewers in special for the apology?

[tsigili]

His apologies won't change his obvious bias in any way. There's zero point in watching his program.

[AOCGUY]

Then don't

[crazyname]

I would imagine all 3 of his fans are accepting his appology. Who cares what this guy says. MSNBC is about useless, and is so far left, who cares! There is no value in it. He can join his other commedian buddies.

[dinkydog1]

Yea, switch to Fox quick so you can be spoon fed corporate approved propaganda. Good grief

[AOCGUY]

Olbermann has no need to apologize to anyone, especially his viwers and MSNBC. He simply exercised the same right all Americans have and was unjustly punished for it. The only apology that is due is from the management of MSNBC for there illegal requirement for employess to disclose how they spend their own money.

[msmsucks]

This is just a cover up for the "Socialist". Look it up.

[gruven13777]

One of the skumbags Olbermann worships is Raul Grijalva, who is pro illegal immigration, pro gun control, and pro late-term abortions.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
le perdant dans cette affaire c'est "MSNBC." au revoir

[Patriotson]

Olbermann is the warlock of third world news organization that is increasingly showing its socialist ideology. Radicalism by conservatives has been blamed for everything that is wrong with the civilized world but its ok for radicalism that is socialist to be used under the pretense of being emancipating? Olbermann should be fired for not only violating NBC regulations but for impersonating a new anchorman. He is at the head of Worse people a segment of his own program. Fire the Man

[AOCGUY]

Surely you are not suggesting that he has to right to express his opinion or that viewers that agree with him have no right to watch his show if they so choose? Or are you?