ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Apologizes for Failing to Disclose Clinton Donations

In an apparent move to pre-empt public censure, ABC News' anchor George Stephanopoulos apologized on Friday for failing to disclose that he donated $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation, a move that could raise questions on his objectivity in his job as a television journalist.

The donations were made in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to the foundation established by former president Bill Clinton, according to Politico's On Media blog.

It said Stephanopoulos failed to disclose his donations to the viewers even when he interviewed author Peter Schweizer about his book "Clinton Cash."

Stephanopoulos apologized on-air during ABC's "Good Morning America" show on Friday, saying his contributions were for the Clinton Foundation's global AIDS program and deforestation.

"I made charitable donations to the Foundation in support of the work they're doing on global AIDS prevention and deforestation, causes I care about deeply," he said. "I thought that my contributions were a matter of public record. However, in hindsight, I should have taken the extra step of personally disclosing my donations to my employer and to the viewers on air during the recent news stories about the Foundation. I apologize."

Stephanopoulos works as the chief anchor and chief political correspondent for ABC News. He is also the anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" and the host of "This Week."

Stephanopoulos served as Bill Clinton's communications director and senior adviser.

ABC News said it stands by him. "As George has said, he made charitable donations to the Foundation to support a cause he cares about deeply and believed his contributions were a matter of public record," ABC News said. "He should have taken the extra step to notify us and our viewers during the recent news reports about the Foundation. He's admitted to an honest mistake and apologized for that omission. We stand behind him."

The network added that it accepted his apology as it was an honest mistake.

Stephanopoulos said he will not moderate ABC News' Republican primary debates in February.

"I won't moderate that debate," Stephanopoulos said. "I think I've shown that I can moderate debates fairly. That said, I know there have been questions made about moderating debates this year. I want to be sure I don't deprive viewers of a good debate."