Tim Russert is Rolling Over in His Grave

NBC News is an Embarrassment to Icon’s Memory and the Accomplishments of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”

Those close to me will tell you that one of the journalists I admired and respected most was the late, great Tim Russert. Russert’s name is proudly listed on this site as a journalism trailblazer, and he truly was on a number of levels.  When Russert died in 2008, many of his NBC colleagues noted that the legendary newsman’s attention to detail, his character, and his integrity are what separated him from many in the industry. To put it bluntly, if you were dealing with Russert or making an appearance on “Meet the Press”, it would have been in your best interest to have your facts straight. Sadly, and unfortunately, those in charge of the news department at NBC are quickly proving that they don’t give a damn about accuracy or truth in reporting. They’re more concerned with “ratings-chasing” and making people like news veteran Ann Curry, and possibly David Gregory, the scapegoat for their failings, as opposed to doing everything possible to uphold the outstanding legacies of Russert and his predecessors. As a result, I have no doubt that Russert and three of “The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse” – Edwin Newman, John Chancellor and Frank McGee – are rolling over in their graves. Incidentally, the fourth "horseman" is Sandy Vanocur. 

NBC News came under intense scrutiny after one of its producers created a false version of the audio from the George Zimmerman 911 call. The producer was fired. However, NBC refused to name the culprit, so the guilty party will probably land at some other network or news source and continue to act in the same fashion. NBC News took the punk way out. If the New York Times had no problem outing Jayson Blair as a plagiarist and fabricator, NBC News should’ve had the “testicular fortitude” to reveal the identity of the producer. If Russert could speak from the grave, I suspect he would rip the news department and the shamed producer “a new one” over the incident and the unprecedented drop in ratings for Meet the Press.  There is no excuse for this type of behavior or reporting, and this country is lucky that full-scale riots didn’t erupt when people discovered what NBC News and the producer had done.

  

I’ll go as far as to say what the producer did was a matter of national security because they committed an offense that could’ve caused people to act in ways that were dangerous and destructive to the safety and security of the country and its residents. NBC did fire the dumb-ass, but that wasn’t enough. I believe criminal charges should’ve been filed, and the producer arrested, because they acted with malicious intent and sought to mislead the public, and there is no disputing that. Just imagine what would’ve happened if the producer altered the audio to where Zimmerman referred to Trayvon Martin as a nigger. What this fool did was appalling, but someone else could’ve done something much worse. Do you see where I’m going with this, folks? Many may consider this incident old news by now, but I would argue that it isn’t because even “The Daily Show” continues to catch FOX News producers manipulating news videos. However, the difference between NBC News and FOX News is that NBC News has been around far longer and has produced some of the greatest news coverage and journalists in the history of television broadcasting. Thus, as far as the embarrassing incident and protecting the identity of the producer are concerned, NBC News should know better.

As a representative of independent news, I’m putting this out there….hardcore and raw. The mainstream news industry is out of control, and more and more people are beginning to express outright hatred for the medium and its representatives because of what NBC, FOX News, and others have done. Don't believe me? Just look at the polls indicating a significant shift from mainstream news to alternative sources. There is only one way to deter or prevent the falsifying of news stories, news audio, and news videos. Network managers, news directors, producers and reporters must be brought up on criminal charges and heavily fined if they’re caught. Period! The rule could be implemented under the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with an independent agency, the Committee to Preserve and Protect Integrity and Truth in Journalism, to ensure that journalism’s best standards and practices are followed. Respected and trusted journalists like Les Payne, Tom Brokaw, Bill Moyers, John McLaughlin, and Gwen Ifill could serve as committee chair members or special advisers. Additionally, a “one-strike” policy would be adopted and enforced to emphasize the need for accuracy and integrity within the news industry.

If these guidelines were to become commonplace in American journalism, more and more people would develop a greater level or respect and trust for the industry and those charged with the task of reporting. I have a feeling Russert, Newman, Chancellor and McGee would agree. Perhaps you will, too, Mr. Vanocur. 

This commentary is from the heart and…..from The G-Man.

Image courtesy of http://freelogovector.com.