Posted on 09/12/2004 7:35:59 PM PDT by nikos1121
When asked what is the most important part of any news story, Joseph Pulitzer replied, "Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy."
I've always thought that whether it's selling newspapers, a documentary, a speech to the Rotary Club, or used cars, if you want to have viewers tomorrow try deceit, if you want to have viewers ten years from tomorrow, try honesty.
I have read about as much as anyone on the subject of the Bush National Guard memos. In fact, starting today I'll stop the reading. The excellent discussions and technical research presented here and now in several major news sources leaves very little doubt in my mind, that the memos are fakes. In fact, when you weigh the evidence it comes down very very heavy on the side that believes the memos are fakes.
More troubling to me is the fact that a major network, CBS, one that I grew up respecting, is appearing more and more like a tabloid. To put this in simple terms, consider this. CBS based this important story on:
1. Three memos from an un-named source 2. Written by a deceased person 3. That are photocopies and not originals
This alone should have raised red flags. I mean, we're not talking about a story for the STAR or the National Enquirer here, we're talking about CBS NEWS. Is this their new standard of excellence? Is this the kind of reporting that we can now expect on the CBS EVENING NEWS and 60 MINUTES?
I'm not a journalist, but I can tell you that if I had spent years in school training to be one, or years on the job as one, and I found myself in a department at some newspaper or TV station where this was going on, I would say to myself "Something is really wrong here." Maybe I might even get a ping of emotion and say, "it's time to speak up or shut up."
Which brings me to the purpose of this posting. I ask:
IS THERE ANYONE AT CBS, ANYONE WITH ANY INTEGRITY AND COURAGE, WHO WILL COME FORTH AND SAY, "COLLEAGUES, SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THIS IS NOT THE STANDARD OF TV JOURNALISM THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW. THESE MEMOS ARE "POSSIBLY" FAKE AND THE WAY THEY WERE REVIEWED AND PRODUCED IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO US AND THREATENS TO UNDERMINE THE WORK THAT WE ALL TRY TO DO. WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THOSE OUT THERE WHO ARE RAISING CONCERNS AND INVESTIGATE THIS MORE FULLY AND IF THE PREPONDERENCE OF EVIDENCE IS THAT THEY ARE FAKE, THEN WE SHOULD RETRACT OUR SUPPORT OF THEM."
IS THERE NOT ONE YOUNG REPORTER THERE AT CBS WHO IS TROUBLED BY THIS? IS THERE NOT ONE WHO WILL COME FORTH, KNOWING THAT THEY MAY LOSE THEIR JOB FOR DOING SO, TO SAY "THIS IS WRONG AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF A DEPARTMENT THAT OPERATES THIS WAY."
It is inconceivable to me, that no one at CBS News, (including people like Morris Schafer, Mike Wallace, etc etc.) had doubts on the validity of these memos. I can only assume that no one wanted to go up against Rather or maybe they figured that if given enough rope Rather would hang himself. Either way, this is clearly a crossroads for CBS and the people working there.
Where is that one reporter at CBS with some moral courage? I'm waiting to hear form you.
Nick A. Vlachos
A flat NO
I've always thought that whether it's selling newspapers, a documentary,
Once Michael Moore got awards for Bowling for Columbine, a "documentary" later found to be filled with falsehoods, and received accolades for his "documentary" making up the Presidents "thoughts", I knew there was no legitimacy remaining on the left.
At least it's not another WHINITY post. FReepers are feeling a little pumped up these past few days, deservedly so. You got a problem with that? :o)
anyone have Dan Blather's email at CBS?
Is this a rhetorical question?
I know nobody expects anything from the likes of Ed Bradley, Leslie Stahl, or Don Hewitt, but I am exteremly disappointed by Mike Wallace and Morley Safer. I always thought that those two guys, shameless liberal Democrats though they may be, at least had an old-fashioned sense of journalistic integrity, honesty, and decency. Their silence is deafening.
Great picture. Rather and the CBS brain trust.
I doubt it if they want to hold on to their jobs.
CBS is a fascist organization just like so many media outlets today.
I gather that this post somehow pissed you off.
Too bad, so sad.
Like your little "WARNING" meant something to someone.
Go to bed now.
It will be ok in the morning.
The "staff" will give you a full report on any further 'vanity' posts.
Feel better?
LVM
We've all been mad at CBS this week. But the sad thing is that CBS is no worse than ABC, NBC, CNN, or a dozen other major news organizations. They are all riddled with corruption.
CBS? What's that?
You might have hit on something here:
"maybe they figured that if given enough rope Rather would hang himself"
The picture I get from reading Goldberg's book Bias is that Rather rules the news department. Even those who are supposedly his superiors do not buck him. So maybe there is underlying resentment. Maybe some people think it's time for him to go, and if the management wants to take themselves down with him, more power to them. Maybe then we can start with a clean slate.
There once was, but he is no longer at CBS. His name is Bernard Goldberg. For those who haven't read his books, do so, if you want a big dose of the truth.
There hasn't been one since Robert Troudt or possibly Edward R. Murrow.
Simple answer: NO.
Well, there's one guy but he works during the night and he's too busy emtying trash cans to be interviewed.
Beat me to it!!
I must have emptied my "p" bin.
Bernard Goldberg? Well, he had it so they forced him out.
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