COLLEGE PARK, Md., Jan. 10 (AScribe Newswire) -- The University of Maryland has a number of experts who can comment on today's report that CBS has ousted four employees for their roll in a disputed story about President Bush's National Guard Service.
Here's what some of our experts are saying:
-- Dean Thomas Kunkel, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
"The question about how CBS could have been so sloppy with a story of such import in the teeth of the campaign is a fascinating one. I know that's why they were rushing to do the story, but at times like that you have to go the extra mile to be careful and not take shortcuts."
-- Chris Hanson, Professor of Journalism, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
"The lesson is that news organizations must follow the old Cold War arms control credo -- trust but verify. It is astonishing that so many senior executives at CBS based their confidnece in this story soley on their trust in one producer. It is even more astonishing that Dan Rather did, given that he was putting his face and credibillity on the line. Let's hope that the bloodletting at CBS results in double and triple checking at all the networks and that the on air 'talent' insists on participating."
-- Rem Rieder, editor and enior vice president, American Journalism Review (published by the University of Maryland)
"This is a devastating indictment of CBS. It's astonishing how many basic rules of journalism were jettisoned in the rush to get on the air. How could a major news organization run such a story so cavalierly, with such a half-hearted effort to establish the authenticity of the documents and an unwillingness to listen to dissenting views? And as so often is the case, the arrogant stonewalling after the story aired-- in the face of serious criticism-- made a terrible situation even worse. Heads had to roll, and they did. But Rather, the public face of the story and the leading stonewaller, seems to have been treated leniently."
For a full list of our experts on this story please point your browser to: http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/culture/release.cfm?ArticleID=1014
For more information or assistance, contact Dave Ottalini,
University of Maryland Media Relations, 301-405-4076.
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