Fox News has suspended contributors Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum until they decide whether to run for president.
Anchor Bret Baier announced on air late Wednesday morning that the network “has suspended its contributor arrangements” with Gingrich and Santorum for the next 60 days.
Both, Baier said, “have signaled possible runs for the presidency” and it “is Fox policy” for them to be suspended.
With the suspensions, the network has taken its first big step to address mounting concerns that it could run afoul of campaign finance laws and journalistic ethics by continuing to keep on its payroll people who are maneuvering to run for president. But the suspensions of two contributors also leads to questions about three others on the Fox payroll — Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and John Bolton — who are also weighing White House bids.
Conflicting reports have come this week from Gingrich’s camp about whether he’ll be announcing a presidential exploratory committee or taking another clear step in the direction of the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The former speaker of the House’s office has not responded to POLITICO’s request for comment.
(Source: Politico)
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2 Responses
Seems like a good idea. An active candidate is not a suitable news commentator .
While both candidates are inching toward a possible run for presidency, and are now perceived in that window of possibility. It shows some degree of integrity on the part of Fox News to separate the news it broadcasts from someone having a paid position who is running for office. Also, on the other hand, Obama could have met with Fox and commanded such an act in a proactive move to limit exposure to any of his potential rivals. We may never know.