Three networks report errors in their Zimmerman reporting.

[MS Fowler]

First we had the NBC edited 911 tape. If you believe it was an honest error, or done to fit a time slot, I have a bridge to sell you.
Second, CBS said the police video did not support Zimmerman's claim that he had been injured. Then the looked at it again, and saw that Zimmerman had injuries.
Now CNN is saying that their report that Zimmerman used a racial slur is incorrect.

In all three cases, the errors fit the "white-on-black racial crime" stereotype. In all three cases, the networks were wrong.

Anyone care to calculate the probability of all of them being innocent mistakes?

Yes, I admit this is another slam at the Main Stream Media. Maybe I should explain why I am so irritated by this.....
I grew up during the Vietnam war, watching "uncle " Walter Cronkite--that paragon of American News reporting telling me about the war. About how the Tet offensive was an overwhelming disaster for US forces and complete victory for the Viet Cong. Years later, I learned that Tet was a military disaster for the Cong. Walter had lied--had lied to me--to advance his personal view. It was my first exposure to agenda journalism, and I felt manipulated by it. It had trusted that CBS News would tell me all the news, and the truth. Maybe I was naive, but at that time, there was an expectation that news reporting was straight, and true journalists took great care to avoid selecting words or photos that would bias a story.

When the news is manipulated, the citizens in a free society no longer have the facts required to hold their government accountable. That's where, IMO, we find ourselves today. All those people who went into Journalism because " they wanted to make a difference" have graduated to positions of power, and now control what we see and hear as "news".
As is becoming increasingly obvious, the MSM can not be trusted to deliver the news. What a shame.

[Botnst]

Gee, that's surprising. (heh-heh)

What does MediaMatters have to say about it?

[jplinville]

Originally Posted by Botnst

Gee, that's surprising. (heh-heh)

What does MediaMatters have to say about it?

JR isn't here to tell us...

[Txjake]

say it ain't so.....

[cmbdiesel]

.....

[Honus]

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

First we had the NBC edited 911 tape. If you believe it was an honest error, or done to fit a time slot, I have a bridge to sell you.
Second, CBS said the police video did not support Zimmerman's claim that he had been injured. Then the looked at it again, and saw that Zimmerman had injuries.
Now CNN is saying that their report that Zimmerman used a racial slur is incorrect.

In all three cases, the errors fit the "white-on-black racial crime" stereotype. In all three cases, the networks were wrong.

Anyone care to calculate the probability of all of them being innocent mistakes?

Yes, I admit this is another slam at the Main Stream Media. Maybe I should explain why I am so irritated by this.....
I grew up during the Vietnam war, watching "uncle " Walter Cronkite--that paragon of American News reporting telling me about the war. About how the Tet offensive was an overwhelming disaster for US forces and complete victory for the Viet Cong. Years later, I learned that Tet was a military disaster for the Cong. Walter had lied--had lied to me--to advance his personal view. It was my first exposure to agenda journalism, and I felt manipulated by it. It had trusted that CBS News would tell me all the news, and the truth. Maybe I was naive, but at that time, there was an expectation that news reporting was straight, and true journalists took great care to avoid selecting words or photos that would bias a story.

When the news is manipulated, the citizens in a free society no longer have the facts required to hold their government accountable. That's where, IMO, we find ourselves today. All those people who went into Journalism because " they wanted to make a difference" have graduated to positions of power, and now control what we see and hear as "news".
As is becoming increasingly obvious, the MSM can not be trusted to deliver the news. What a shame.

I don't have any problem with that (although I don't know enough about Tet to opine on that). The problem I have is with the suggestion that the media leans consistently to the left. The media's puppy-like worship of W during his first term should have been enough to dispel that notion. The recent treatment of Paul Ryan as anything other than a fraud also goes against the liberal media theory.

[t walgamuth]

No reporter no matter how objective they try to be can be 100% successful in keeping their personal opinions from influencing the way they present a story.

What do you think the intent is of these news agencies?

It seems to me that the main thrust of it all is that there has not been an arrest made and there has not been a convincing presentation of evidence supporting the lack of action. Lacking full information makes people outside the police and justice system believe an injustice may or has occurred.

Unfortunately for the US African Americans have been the victims of so many injustices through the years that one cannot blame them for assuming that this is just another example of it. So our African American brothers and sisters are pushing for action using the only tools available to them, the media being the main one.

Until Zimmerman is arrested or until a complete disclosure of facts convinces folks that what has transpired is appropriate the clamor will continue, and rightly so IMHO.

As for Walter Cronkite, I think you have characterized his comments on the reporting of the Tet offensive incorrectly. As I remember it it was not whether we "won" or "lost" the Tet offensive that made it significant, it was the fact that the North could mount such a large offensive at all.

[tbomachines]

So this makes how many threads on the same topic?

[t walgamuth]

In a dramatic departure from the traditions of "objective" journalism, Cronkite concluded his reports with a personal commentary in which he voiced his strong belief that the war would end in stalemate. Cronkite's editorial would later be regarded as a critical indice of public opinion of the Vietnam War.

This is a quote from a search about Cronkite and Tet.

[chilcutt]

Just arrest the SOB, and get him up in front of a Judge..What TF.
I am really sick of hearing about it.

[Pooka]

I can remember the Tet attacks. I was not there, but I remember much of the news coverage.

I recall CBS covering the story just as it took place. It was not until later anyone, including CBS, began to offer opinions on it. There was a major debate about what type of enemy the US was really facing.

LBJ decided to start winding down the war even though it became clear that thought Tet was a major attack it was almost for nothing since the NV were unable to hold any ground. Still, there was the possibility that next time would be different.

Nixon came in with his secret plan to end the war and was elected. His plan turned out to be bomb the living daylights out of anything that moved. This was not what a lot of people were expecting from him, but it did seem to be working. Uncle Walter did not agree with this plan and neither did a lot of others.

In the end Uncle Walter turned out to be right and Nixon just declared Peace and went home.

But it all started with Tet.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Just arrest the SOB, and get him up in front of a Judge..What TF.
I am really sick of hearing about it.

And if the charges don't stick? What then? Different charge till it sticks like with Stacy Koon? IOW, we play till I win?

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

No reporter no matter how objective they try to be can be 100% successful in keeping their personal opinions from influencing the way they present a story.

What do you think the intent is of these news agencies?....

The intent is to get viewers so that ratings increase and soap sellers buy more air time. The best way to raise ratings is with sex and/or violence. It's even better if we have some sort of conspiracy that confirms prejudices. This was a made-for-TV-News story and everybody went whole-hog pursuing preconceived notions rather than waiting for ... facts.

[Jorn]

ABC, NBC and CBS news is solely aired for one reason and that's to sell pharmaceutics to the older population of this country. Ever wandered why those anchors still make millions when no one is watching them besides old people...

[cmbdiesel]

Originally Posted by Jorn

ABC, NBC and CBS news is solely aired for one reason and that's to sell pharmaceutics to the older population of this country. Ever wandered why those anchors still make millions when no one is watching them besides old people...

You mean it's not just me who doesn't watch??
As a person who does not watch broadcast TV, these issues of bias seem rather quaint.