Posted on 09/20/2004 1:46:36 PM PDT by NewMediaFan
From a North Carolina CBS affiliate:
We certainly aren't happy with the way CBS News has handled this mess and have informed them of our displeasure. I will make sure your note is placed in the proper hands.
From one in Oklahoma:
Like you, I am distressed with the forged-documents issue involving CBS. I appreciate receiving your feedback- it is helpful to have when I visit with my network affiliate rep about local reaction in my market.
From one in South Carolina (do you notice a lot of these responses are from stations in red states?):
Like you, we're concerned about the authenticity of the documents in question. Obviously, if CBS was duped, they'll have to change the checks and balances that we thought were in place and working along with reporting those facts to their viewers. I've taken the liberty of passing along your comments directly to CBS.
Finally, a station manager at a CBS affiliate in New Mexico speculates to a viewer about Dan Rathers retirement.
Couldn't agree more. I think there will be significant consequences before this is behind us, including the possibility of Dan's retirement. You know, I think he really does care about the truth, the country, etc. But he just let his personal politics cloud his news judgment. It's a lesson for everyone in the news business, and I give you my word that we at [this station] are properly cautioned.
I hope these affiliates are talking to each other, or at least that each one knows he or she is not alone in their anger and disappointment. It now appears that dozens of affiliates are getting a huge reaction from their viewers.
I wish my affiliate (from South Bend, Indiana) would write back to me. So far they haven't.
This is VERY interesting. I didn't realize that the networks were still running news programs. I'll have to have a look one evening.....Nah!
Couldn't agree more. I think there will be significant consequences before this is behind us, including the possibility of Dan's retirement. You know, I think he really does care about the truth, the country, etc. But he just let his personal politics cloud his news judgment. It's a lesson for everyone in the news business, and I give you my word that we at [this station] are properly cautioned.
I'm glad you got something positive from a NM station. Politics and MSM bias in NM is terrible. Hopefully, people like Peter Jennings, Katie Couric, et al will change their act too.
Something positive may come out of this before it's all over. Unintended consequences, that are good for Americans!
You'll undoubtably be shocked to hear that I have not received a reply to the nasty-gram I sent the CBS affiliate here in Los Angeles. They don't care: and frankly, since I never watch Channel 2, why should they?
I want an apology AND the firing of DannyBoy.
It would have been better for CBS if Janet Jackson had gone topless than to face this Rather mess.
It would have been better for CBS if Janet Jackson had gone topless than to face this Rather mess.
55 KRC Dumps CBS Newsfeed
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1221661/posts
From Texas:
You must know, however, that we are
disgusted by the whole affair. It started with the half-time show of the
Super Bowl and continued with the violations of rules of Journalism by Dan
Rather. You are getting an abbreviated version of my responses, because
frankly, after 130+ personal responses to ALL who have taken time to write,
I'm a bit weary. Know that I am in your corner and know that KBTX remains
dedicated to improving our operation as a viable, credible, and
professionally run organization regardless of CBS plans.
My reply from local CBS affiliate WGCL 46 Atlanta:
>This afternoon, CBS News issued the following statement:
60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY had full confidence in the original report or it would not have aired. However, in the wake of serious and disturbing questions that came up after the broadcast, CBS News has done extensive additional reporting in an effort to confirm the documents' authenticity. Based on what we now know, CBS News cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only acceptable journalistic standard to justify using them in the report. We should not have used them. That was a mistake, which we deeply regret. Nothing is more important to us than our credibility and keeping faith with the millions of people who count on us for fair, accurate, reliable, and independent reporting. We will continue to work tirelessly to be worthy of that trust.
The full press release from CBS News, as well as a statement by Dan Rather can be found on our website at www.cbs46.com.
Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concern about these reports. WGCL has made every effort to respond to all inquiries regarding these reports and we hope you will consider remaining a valuable viewer to WGCL/CBS 46.
WGCL Program Department 404-327-3192
My reply from local CBS affiliate WGCL 46 Atlanta:
>This afternoon, CBS News issued the following statement:
60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY had full confidence in the original report or it would not have aired. However, in the wake of serious and disturbing questions that came up after the broadcast, CBS News has done extensive additional reporting in an effort to confirm the documents' authenticity. Based on what we now know, CBS News cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only acceptable journalistic standard to justify using them in the report. We should not have used them. That was a mistake, which we deeply regret. Nothing is more important to us than our credibility and keeping faith with the millions of people who count on us for fair, accurate, reliable, and independent reporting. We will continue to work tirelessly to be worthy of that trust.
The full press release from CBS News, as well as a statement by Dan Rather can be found on our website at www.cbs46.com.
Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concern about these reports. WGCL has made every effort to respond to all inquiries regarding these reports and we hope you will consider remaining a valuable viewer to WGCL/CBS 46.
WGCL Program Department 404-327-3192
I have written (via email) the VP/Station Manager of KPHO (Channel 5) here in Phoenix twice - no reply.
My boycott of CBS continues.
Are there fines for crappy reporting like Blabber has been doing? CBS needs to be reminded (financially) that you don't try to take down a sitting president with forged documents.
The apologies (such as they are) are totally and completely unsatisfactory and laughable. Blabber still wants President Bush (with all due respect) to answer the questions raised by the forgeries.
Gosh darn. The whole world knew that these were forgeries after Buckhead started the investigation going. How's come the elite folks up there at Black Rock couldn't figure it out?
I'm not sorry, Danny boy, that you have done went and run smack dab into a concrete wall at high speed. Saranoya. Courage! (Raspberry cheer!!)
I'm still waiting to hear back from WCCO, the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
4 business days and counting...
A larger version can be downloaded here.
Download, print, add your own comments and send to Rather.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.