Kamala Harris' campaign reportedly paid half a million dollars to Al Sharpton's nonprofit shortly before she took part in a friendly interview with the civil rights activist and MSNBC host — but a network spokesman said they were unaware of the payment.
The Harris campaign made a $250,000 contribution to Sharpton's National Action Network on Sept. 5 and another on Oct. 1, a few weeks before Sharpton interviewed the Democratic nominee, according to reports. The network spokesman said he did not inform viewers or MSNBC of the payments, reported the Washington Free Beacon.
"MSNBC was unaware of the donations made to the National Action Network," the spokesman said, but he declined to say whether the network would take disciplinary action against Sharpton.
The network has previously suspended hosts, including "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough and former host Keith Olbermann, both in 2010, over similar violations, but the network spokesman declined to say whether the prohibition against political contributions has changed since then.
"Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest," the network's policy stated at that time. "Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the president of NBC News or his designee."
The Society of Professional Journalists told the Free Beacon the payments harmed Sharpton's credibility with viewers.
"While Sharpton may not consider himself a journalist, many viewers do," the organization said in a statement. "When TV news broadcasters do not report their conflicts of interest, or conduct their work in ways that run counter to ethical journalism, it builds distrust among their audiences and places a black eye on both their network and the profession."
