Critics have targeted MSNBC after reports emerged that Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign donated $500,000 to Rev. Al Sharpton's non-profit just before he interviewed her, according to Mail Online.

Vice President Harris' campaign contributed two large donations, totaling $500,000, to the National Action Network, a civil rights organization Rev. Al Sharpton founded in 1991. The payments, each amounting to $250,000, occurred on September 5 and October 1.

Timing of Donations Raises Ethical Questions

The second donation came shortly before an interview between Sharpton and Harris on October 20, sparking debates about the potential impact on journalistic integrity. Critics have raised concerns that the donations may have influenced the content or tone of the interview.

MSNBC, traditionally seen as a channel with liberal leanings, initially did not respond to queries about the donations. When they did, a spokesperson stated, "MSNBC was unaware of the donations made to the National Action Network," and declined to comment on any related personnel matters.

Professional Journalists Critique MSNBC's Oversight

The Society of Professional Journalists has been vocal in its criticism of MSNBC's oversight. A representative from the organization told the Free Beacon, "This kind of entanglement harms the credibility of the journalist, the news organization, and journalism overall, and credibility is difficult to restore."

They continued, "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."

MSNBC's History with Political Donations

In the past, MSNBC has dealt strictly with similar situations involving political donations. Notable incidents include the suspensions of hosts Joe Scarborough and Keith Olbermann in 2010 after their political donations came to light without prior network approval.

This latest incident has led to calls for clearer policies regarding political donations and their disclosure to ensure transparency and maintain trust with viewers.