Fox News has suspended Rick Santorum's contract (and Newt Gingrich's) pending their decisions on the 2012 presidential race. (We told you this Fox stuff was complicated.)

From TV Newser:

Fox News’ Bret Baier just announced that the network has put a 60-day suspension on the paid contributor deals with both Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum — who are both considering a run for president in 2012.

“The suspension is effective for 60 days, then on May 1st, their contracts will be terminated unless they notify FOX they are not running for president,” said Baier, reporting from Washington, DC during “Happening Now.”

UPDATE: The liberal watchdog group Media Matters reacts thusly:

Media Matters for America released the following statement from Executive Vice President Ari Rabin-Havt on Fox News' announcement that it was suspending contributor arrangements with Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum as they consider presidential runs:

"I am happy to hear that after giving Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum over 17 hours of airtime and over $12 million in free advertising in 2010, that Fox News is finally suspending their contracts. I look forward to hearing their decision on the other Fox candidates: Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, and John Bolton."

UPDATE 2: Santorum released a statement saying he'll make an announcement "sometime in the coming months":

“Over the past few years, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with many great professionals at Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network to discuss the critical issues facing our country.  I share in their commitment to ensure news organizations provide balanced coverage of the issues of the day.  I intend to use the months ahead to continue my evaluation of a potential presidential run, and I will make an announcement on my final decision sometime in the coming months.”