Thursday, October 28, 2004
ABCNEWS: to air or not to air...
According to the DRUDGE REPORT:
We have to ask these questions: Has ABCNEWS already stirred the political pot by admitting they haven't released the video because it may be seen as a political move? Are their political motives behind ABCNEWS, and that's why their integrity checks and balance siren went off? If ABCNEWS was confident of its objective news reporting, wouldn't this be an easier decision?
If this is a genuine find in Afghanistan, and it was really obtained this week, then I say let the video air. It's not election eve--like CBS had plans to air the missing stockpile story.
And since the CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated the video, ABCNEWS has the protection that this video is not a hoax.
The real question is: does this new threat help President Bush or Senator Kerry in the upcoming election?
I would suggest it undoubtedly helps Bush, because he has stronger polls in the area of foreign policy, war on terrorism, and homeland security. This video could be replayed in the minds of all voters as they step into the voting booth next Tuesday.
Is the video news worthy? That's the question ABCNEWS is asking themselves. However, critiquing the news agencies that cover of the news is becoming more newsworthy than the news itself.
Somtimes truth is blurry--especially when proclaimed from an anchor desk.
let the truth B told
-T
ABCNEWS obtained a "terror threat" tape from a source in Waziristan, Pakistan over the weekend. The network has withheld airing it, initially citing concerns over its authenticity.
One senior federal official alleged ABCNEWS is now holding back from broadcasting any portion of the video out of fear it will be seen as a political move by the network during election week.
One ABC source, who demanded anonymity, said Thursday morning, the network was struggling to find a correct journalistic "balance.""
This is not something you just throw out there while people are voting," the ABC source explained. A second ABC source told DRUDGE: "We continue to report this story aggressively."
We have to ask these questions: Has ABCNEWS already stirred the political pot by admitting they haven't released the video because it may be seen as a political move? Are their political motives behind ABCNEWS, and that's why their integrity checks and balance siren went off? If ABCNEWS was confident of its objective news reporting, wouldn't this be an easier decision?
If this is a genuine find in Afghanistan, and it was really obtained this week, then I say let the video air. It's not election eve--like CBS had plans to air the missing stockpile story.
And since the CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated the video, ABCNEWS has the protection that this video is not a hoax.
The real question is: does this new threat help President Bush or Senator Kerry in the upcoming election?
I would suggest it undoubtedly helps Bush, because he has stronger polls in the area of foreign policy, war on terrorism, and homeland security. This video could be replayed in the minds of all voters as they step into the voting booth next Tuesday.
Is the video news worthy? That's the question ABCNEWS is asking themselves. However, critiquing the news agencies that cover of the news is becoming more newsworthy than the news itself.
Somtimes truth is blurry--especially when proclaimed from an anchor desk.
let the truth B told
-T
