Bozell: NBC's Phony Apology for Selective Editing of Zimmerman 911 Call Proves 'NBC Has Lost Its Credibility Completely'
Editor's Note: Last week, NBC’s Today show doctored George Zimmerman’s 9-1-1 call so that his motive for shooting Trayvon Martin appeared racial. Over the weekend, NBC reported to The Washington Post that an investigation would be forthcoming after the Media Research Center (MRC) exposed their fraud. It appears NBC’s investigation has been completed.
Last night, NBC issued a two sentence explanation on it. NewsBusters publisher and MRC president Brent Bozell argues that the network's "apology" is as dishonest as the original piece and that Comcast, which owns NBC and MSNBC, needs to clean house at the network:
We reject this fraudulent apology. We're not surprised. After all, NBC "investigated" itself. We again call on Comcast, not NBC, to investigate this matter -- thoroughly, honestly, and professionally.
It is unclear to me if NBC is laughing, or spitting in the face of the public with that "apology." The "investigation" apparently was as thorough and honest as the explanation: two whole sentences of nothing.
NBC just calls it an "error" which was "made in the production process," as if someone hit the wrong key on a machine. Or maybe it's the machine itself that is responsible.
Comcast needs to come clean with the public: Who was responsible for doing this? Who knew about this? Why was this done? What disciplinary measures will be taken? How can the public ever trust this"'news" network again?
That final question is the most important. With this farce of an "apology" NBC has lost its credibility -- completely.
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Comments
This is why....
Submitted by GeneralAl on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:05am.
This is why I don't watch NBC and dropped Comcast for Dish Network!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
I have not watched a NBC or
Submitted by jkwtrading on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:25am.
I have not watched a NBC or any major network broadcast for over 10 years. my non watching includes all these companies produce, from news to sports to movies and TV shows. raw news or the collection of article son Drudge and elsewhere is all I need.
I gave up on network news long ago, too
Submitted by CO2Maker on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:52am.
And I think local news is even worse. It's internet news all the time for me.
I check these sites daily:
Fox, Drudge, NB, Hot Air, The Blaze, DC Caller, Breitbart, Townhall.
I also have links (which I use less often) to BBC, The National (Canada), The Scotsman, Daily Mail Online, The Guardian, Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, RT (Russia Times), AFP, and a bunch of other foreign sources. Also NYT, LAT, WaPo (default names in the MSM list), plus others, too.
Not sure of TV and TV news? Try these books:
1. Ron Powers, "The Newscasters: The News Business as Show Business," St. Martins, 1978. ISBN-10: 0312572085
2. Neal Postman, "Amusing Ourselves to Death," 1986, Penguin. ISBN-10: 0140094385
3. Jerry Mander, "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television," 1978, Harpers. ISBN-10 0688082742
4. James Fallows, "Why Americans Hate the Media," The Atlantic, February, 1996.
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/96feb/media/media.htm
Also, this eye-opener from Tim Robbins (aka, Mr. Susan Saranwrap):
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9182670/Tim-Robbins-Ive-th...
Zimmerman MUST sue them! IT was 100% deliberate!
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:27pm.
This will better ensure the house is cleaned out. It is VERY clear what their intent was and proof is 100% documented history in their coverage. Sue for many, many millions $ putting your life at risk. True and justified mental anguish. So much so it is right there as even being a CRIMINAL action! NO MISTAKE was made!
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
Yes!
Submitted by Molecule on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:37pm.
Totally agree. They should not be allowed to get away with this.
Hey, what's the big deal? I
Submitted by forest on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:11am.
Hey, what's the big deal? I carefully excise the middle of short audio clips totally by accident all the time. Doesn't that happen to everyone?
Not Me
Submitted by Free Stinker on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:15am.
But I have accidentally created ANG memos (complete with signature) using Microsoft Word and a pen. /Dan Rather mode off
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Loved how Paula Priesse on
Submitted by bretzysdude on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:17am.
Loved how Paula Priesse on Facebook viewed it:
"Be fun to turn the tables. NBC Promo: 'On (NBC) Nightly News, violence (causing racial tension and) our report on how much (President Obama loves) ice cream.' Edited version: 'NBC loves President Obama and causing racial tension!' Easy to do NBC. And much more accurate!"
Rose Mary Woods is back!
Submitted by dr-go on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:21am.
She is now working at NBC ........ erasing tapes.
Produced by
Submitted by CO2Maker on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:58am.
Mary Maples using the very same digital voice recorder that President Nixon used in 1972 and transcribed on a Macintosh II with Times New Roman scalable fonts.
An "Error" in "Production"???!!
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:20am.
Thank God that's all it was. Here I was, panicking, thinking it might have been intentional, agenda-driven, or worse. But it's only a simple error, confirmed by a vigorous, comprehensive investigation. This restores my faith in NBC, now. Although -- it would be good if they were to pay more attention to production errors so that things like this, and the removal of "under God" in the Pledge, don't accidently happen any more. - \ sarc
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
At what point do the grown-ups put a stop to this?
Submitted by The_Barrel_Guy on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:27am.
Spike Lee tweets what he thinks is Mr. Zimmerman's home address... Someone at NBC "edits" a tape to slant the contents to heat up a racist response... The president jumps in to aggravate the racial component lacking any factual information... The media studiously omits/minimizes any note that Mr. Zimmerman is Hispanic...
At what point do the grown-ups start looking at the criminal implications of inciting mobs to violence?
We should be grateful that it is still spring when the days grow wet, the nights go cold and people want to go home to get warm... If this sequence of events happened in July or August or September communities would be in flames...
This is already shaping up as a nasty campaign season... We do NOT need this on top of it...
Sorry...
Submitted by c5then on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:41am.
There are no "grown-ups" in charge and there haven't been for 3 years now. Do you seriously expect the DOJ to step in and do anything?
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
You're right c5...
Submitted by The_Barrel_Guy on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:52pm.
There are no grown-ups "in charge." Particularly true at DOJ... That's why I left those two words out... I shall hope and pray that a grown-up or two with some real courage emerge during the campaign...
Right now, my concern for the disdain this administration has for the rule of law is so great that it would not surprise me if it ignores the decision of the Supreme Court on obamacare or even ignores the vote in November if it goes to the GOP... I watch each new level of power given to the folks at homeland security and I see the elements that would be needed for a takeover...
I used to think that the military would be the place for a power grab and that was unlikely... The senior officers have spent twenty-five to forty years in uniform through many different administrations... Their respect is to the nation and the constitution, not some individual or small group of individuals... Duty, Honor, Country is meaningful to them... Some exceptions, of course, but not generally...
That is in no way true of the people at homeland security... They have no sense of honor... only power... They have no tradition of service... just a job... That scares the heck out of me with each new "responsibility" they are given...
Agree it is deliberate & outrageous.
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:34pm.
The networks already are irrelevant. We just need to ensure ALL the public is made aware of this FACT. Then take them over and provide a REAL news service and shows that uplift America vs. dragging it into the gutter.
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
This is the next logical next step...
Submitted by c5then on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:38am.
Once you have almost complete control of the media (as the liberals have today) and your method of skewing the reporting and opinions diseminated by your organization seems to be working, the next logical step is to start modifying the facts and data in the reporting to further generate the kind of reaction that you want to impart to your audience. Then it is only a small step to the complete and utter manufacturing of news and events to create the atmosphere in the general public that you want for whatever purpose you want.
What I don't know is did Comcast buy this organization unaware of what was happening, or did they buy it because they wanted to get in on the game just as it was about to pay dividends?
Their reaction to this debacle will answer that question. Are they upset that it happened, or are they upset that they got caught?
The three top officials at GSA were fired/resigned because they over-spent on a training seminar in Las Vegas. Dan Rather was fired for airing a manufactured document as if it were real and newsworthy. What will happen to the head officials at NBC news?
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Excellent post C5
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:38pm.
FIRE ALL the biased News staff that clearly makes NO attempt to be fair or factual. Audit their work and FIRE! CLEAN house with some HONEST people!
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
Well I already have Dish............
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:00pm.
And there aren't many nbc shows that hit my tv set. My choice of NOT watching nbc has to do with ACTIVIST JOURNALISM like this current example... IT MAKES ME SICK!
It's time for a boycott.....
Submitted by gilguy on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:06pm.
of all lamestream media stations. I have refused to watch any of the state-controlled media; I encourage all of you to do the same. Look; why is it the "lefties" have a lock on activism? They jump all over Rush, and other corporations whenever they don't like something. Well...I don't like them, so they don't get my business. If we don't stand up to the media, they will continue their course. The USA is one of the VERY few countries where we can affect change peacefully - through voting both with our wallets and at the polls. Let's show 'em how the system works.
?
Submitted by Boudin on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 9:25pm.
I quit watching these clowns years ago.
"With this farce of an
Submitted by MikeB on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:06pm.
"With this farce of an "apology" NBC has lost its credibility -- completely."
Mr. Bozell, you are assuming that NBC has actually had any credibility within the last 30 years. They haven't. None of the broadcast media, with the exception of FNC has had the least bit of credibility, and FNC sometimes seems to be trying to shed theirs. NBC especially, seems to be trying to become the broadcast version of the National Enquirer. I expect at any time to read here where NBC has started running stories of space aliens and bat boy giving advice to, or receiving wisdom from, Teh Won, the Lightworker, the Savior of the Oceans, the Cleanser of the Atmosphere, President for Life Barak Hussein Obama mmm mmm mmm.
No link?
Submitted by Fredy on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 12:46pm.
Too bad there is no link to the actual words of the nbc response.
Here ya go
Submitted by Model850 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 3:51pm.
Google is your friend....
"During our investigation it became evident that there was an error made in the production process that we deeply regret," NBC News representative Lauren Kapp said in a statement on Tuesday. "We will be taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future and apologize to our viewers."
Interns: someones gonna lose a job!
Submitted by cmvnyer on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:23pm.
Who can' tsee that somehow NBc is going to blame some nameless faceless intern for this debacle while patting themselves on the back for finding the appropriate scapegoat!!
Comcast needs to come clean with the public:
Who was responsible for doing this? It was an intern
Who knew about this? The intern knew about this and only the intern
Why was this done? The intern is a right wing hack bent on distroying NBC's stellar reputation
What disciplinary measures will be taken? We will of course, fire the intern, put al the blame on the intern and make sure this intern never works in this town again.
How can the public ever trust this"'news" network again? We are NBC, and when we tell you you can trust us.. trust us.. you can trust us.
that just about covers it
see ya
cathy :)
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-bozell/2012/04/04/bozell-nbcs-phony-a...
Yes, Cathy....that DOES cover it
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:49pm.
I see you've swiped Rush's crystal ball.
Welcome, here.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
to me a more important issue
Submitted by jkwtrading on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:32pm.
to me a more important issue is has any information of civil rights been accurately portrayed since the 60's. Has their fraud been pressed onto the American public for 50 years?
Has NBC, CBS, ABC and others perpetuated a complete fraud for 50 years?
I would never assume, their reporting was always accurate.
NBC
Submitted by midwest lady on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 1:38pm.
I don't care how it happened. Answer why it happened. And do so honestly.
It appears NBC has its own Memogate
Submitted by lesterwink23 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 2:04pm.
Who are they kidding? Anyone who actually thinks this "error" wasn't deliberate is being incredibly generous or incredibly naive. None of the Big 3 networks are exactly models of objectivity, but NBC has clearly established itself as the worst by leaps and bounds. The head of NBC news should be forced to resign in disgrace over this travesty.
Remember when ACORN "investigated" itself?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 2:07pm.
.
Sooo a machine did it, well expect a bunch of layoffs at NBC !
Submitted by upcountrywater on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 2:42pm.
So is that a hot key..... CTRL- RACIST...?
No people to blame the "edit" job on, is that correct?
Another machine really did hit that hot key, programed by another machine?
Well then,nbc has arrived at a totally automated news room. The nbc pawn people are not needed.
You Didn't Build That.
SoL, yes. I also remember
Submitted by MikeB on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 2:44pm.
SoL, yes. I also remember Penn State investigating itself and Michael Mann re: Climategate. I must say I was shocked, shocked I tell you, when Penn State could find no wrong doing.
An error?
Submitted by sherlock1 on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 4:30pm.
An error? Is that what they call a dis-information operation that gets busted now? When I was a kid I made an "error" like that - took a phoney note "from my parents" to school to get me excused early. Got me kicked out of school instead, but I learned a lesson and turned out to be a responsible adult. That's what needs to happen to NBC News VP Brian Williams - but in his case it may be too late.
That "apology" was Onion News-worthy.
Submitted by krendler on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 9:04pm.
Employees of NBC's news division:
1) Deliberately pulled two excerpts from different portions of a conversation and spliced them together to make it sound as if it was one (very damaging) statement.
2) Included the faked statement in a report, and
3) broadcast the faked statement on national TV.
They characterize all of that as an "error."
Not an "error in judgement" or "lapse in journalistic standards/ethics." Just some kind of vague error-ish thingy that they managed to identify ("That's it. There's the problem. Phew. Glad we found it.") and, somehow, fixed. Seriously?
The people who wrote that apology are as intellectually dishonest as the original perpetrators. They must think we're idiots.
So if they doctored a photograph in similar manner, showing Zimmerman with a KKK tattoo on his bicep, and then showed that on the air, that, too, would be an "error"?
No suspensions. No disciplinary action of any kind.
btw, I hope Zimmerman sues these clowns for $50 million.
Submitted by krendler on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 9:08pm.
btw, I hope Zimmerman sues these clowns for $50 million.