Bozell to ABC's Westin: Address Stephanopoulos' Conflict of Interest

Media Research Center President Brent Bozell took to MRC's state-of-the-art studio earlier to record a video statement accompanying his open letter to ABC News President David Westin. The complaint: "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos's reported ongoing communication strategy phone calls with Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel. [audio available here]

Calling the development, if true, "a clear violation of journalistic ethics," the NewsBusters publisher challenged ABC News President David Westin to come clean on behalf of his employee and his network:

With each passing day, ABC's failure to speak to and about this issue tarnishes further the network's reputation as a legitimate news entity.  I've sent a personal letter to Mr. Westin, calling on him now as President of ABC News, to publicly address and resolve this issue.  If the charges are false, provide the evidence.  We will gladly accept it and consider the matter closed.  If the charges are correct, then ABC News must address this publicly and comprehensively.

ABC News may decide that silence is the best policy.  I assure them that will be a mistake.  We will not stop this discussion.  If they think they are bleeding audience numbers now, what do they suppose will be their audience's reaction when it is established that their chief Washington correspondent continues to be a key strategist for the Democratic Party?

Mr. Westin, we await your response.