MSNBC Fixes False Report Which Made Zimmerman Look Racist, Doesn't Acknowledge Error

By Randy Hall | March 30, 2012 | 14:20

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Following in line with their broadcast television colleagues who deliberately edited the audio of a 9-1-1 call of George Zimmerman, the Florida community watch volunteer who shot teenager Trayvon Martin, to falsely impute racist motives to him, MSNBC.com, in an unbylined piece did the exact same thing in text form, stripping out vital information which made Zimmerman appear to be racially motivated against Martin, who is black.

After being criticized, MSNBC.com restored the proper context but never posted a retraction, correction notice, or an apology for doing so. Originally, the story quoted from Zimmerman's call to 9-1-1 and edited the text to say the following: "'This guy looks like he’s up to no good … he looks black,' Zimmerman told a police dispatcher from his car."

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But here is what MSNBC/NBC News left out thanks to “a convenient ellipses” (as first noted by Breitbart.com blogger Dan Riehl):

ZIMMERMAN: This guy looks like he's up to no good, [begin ellipsis] or he's on drugs or something. It's raining, and he's just walking around, looking about.

911 DISPATCHER: Okay, is this guy, is he white, black, or Hispanic? [end ellipsis]

ZIMMERMAN: He looks black.

With this in mind, Riehl stated:

Not only did Zimmerman not equate Martin's skin color with his looking suspicious; he didn't even initiate the comment. It was simply a response to the police dispatcher.

Instead, the community watch leader was speculating based upon what he could determine at night in the rain to answer the police dispatcher.

Since then, the news channel has changed that paragraph of the story on its website so it reads as follows:

This guy looks like he’s up to no good,” Zimmerman said in a 911 call. Asked by a dispatcher if he was white, Hispanic or black, he replied, "He looks black." (Italics supplied)

However, no one from MSNBC or NBC News has issued an apology regarding the error.

As noted above, MSNBC.com was not acting alone in editing the context of the telephone conversation, last night on Fox News Channel, NewsBusters publisher Brent Bozell discussed with host Sean Hannity how NBC News did the exact same thing:

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MSNBC

Submitted by rusino on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 2:28pm.

Race Baiters/Hustlers just like Sharpton and Jackson.

Rusino

We

Submitted by grammajane on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 2:46pm.

all need to boycott nbc and their deceitful news. Send emails to nbc, comcast, and the numerous advertisers. This has got to stop and we the people can do it. Never has there been such crap on a news show gone this far. It is shameful and a complete disrespect to all Americans to have this network on the air.

I think the MSM that they

Submitted by ForeverOnTheRight on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 3:19pm.

I think the MSM that they have been misreporting this to stur the pot to create news. I hope that no white person is harmed a result of this.

Right is never wrong, Left is never right.

NBC & MSNBC

Submitted by NVRAT on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 3:30pm.

Is a racist organization period. I do not watch them in any capacity. In this case the president and all subordinates from top down have the same mind set. In this case..."Guilty until proven Innocent".

NVRAT

This has nothing to do about

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:02pm.

This has nothing to do about skin color. It has everything to do with out of control Gun Nuts…

It has everything to do with skin color

Submitted by cocodrie on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:06pm.

The present in the white house and the MSM have made it so.
You, being an anti-gun nut wouldn't understand.

Jesus Loves You so much He died for you

Gun Freaks

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:15pm.

Please give me a break… This is yet another example of a vigilante with a gun killing a fellow human. This guy was obviously trying to relive a sick childhood fantasy of being John Wayne. Like so many idiots who feel unmanly- he was obviously trying to compensate for something by carrying a gun in a peaceful suburban neighborhood. When will people admit, nothing good ever comes by carrying a gun?

Ah yes, another clear,

Submitted by NC Cop on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:20pm.

Ah yes, another clear, concise, intelligent rambling from Hank. I'm glad you know what his motivation was, Hank. You're obviously a psychic. Quick! What are the winning numbers for the upcoming lottery?!?!?!

"When will people admit, nothing good ever comes by carrying a gun?"

Hitler would be proud of your gun control policy, Hank. Take a bow.

Where I come from; the only

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:09pm.

Where I come from; the only people carrying a gun are people who are sissies. This lunatic followed a teenager; he tried starting a fight with him. It sounds like Trayvon took George to the woodshed. George being the complete wimp he is, got beat up by a seventeen year old; decided to save face and took out his gun and shot him point blank. Typical CCW sissy.

Hank,

Submitted by nolefan2 on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 1:09pm.

you obviously have had no run-in with someone who was "not up to any good." I was mugged in broad daylight by a person of color. I just wish I had had a weapon because I would have been the LAST one he mugged. It was for this very reason that I am now the proud owner of a gun.

OOHHHH if there were no guns

Submitted by upcountrywater on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:23pm.

Gun Free Zone..

You Didn't Build That.

Anti-gun freak

Submitted by cocodrie on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:29pm.

If you are ever assaulted offer your attacker some flowers and tell him you knew Tiny Tim.

Jesus Loves You so much He died for you

I know, Skittles are deadly.

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:03pm.

I know, Skittles are deadly.

Peaceful suburban neighborhood?

Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:36pm.

Do you think "recent rash of burglaries" refers to a skin condition?

Apparently, you are Mayor Bloomberg's idea of a perfect citizen: An armed maniac is beating in your door, and you are better off not having a gun.

Just go to the slaughter like a good little lamb.

Wake Up

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:02pm.

I did not know burglary was now punishable by death? What is next? Shall we throw grenades at jay-walkers, bazooka kids smoking marijuana, and bludgeon prostitutes? You crazy conservatives… You all just think you look cool carrying a Smith and Wesson; this is not about any crazy “Right”.

Don't be such an Irgon

Submitted by Free Stinker on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:05pm.

The shooting might have been legitimate self defense. We don't know yet. The grand jury will sort it out.

/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال

I did not know that Zimmerman

Submitted by NC Cop on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:08pm.

I did not know that Zimmerman shot him because he was a burglar. Where did you come by this, previously undiscovered, fact, Hank??? Still waiting on those lottery numbers Carnac!

Yes, Hank, you're so right. It's all about looking cool and not about the Constitution. You're so smart!

Tell me, Hank, why do you liberals hate the U.S. Constitution so much???

The mind of a Conservative

Submitted by Henry Clay on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:18pm.

You do not even want to get me started. I know Conservatives better than Conservatives know themselves. I spent three weekends at the gun range studying these freaks. Whenever they shot one of their new toys, they would fist pump and scream,

“YEE HAW! T’aint that thee Cooolest thang ya ever see there Hoss! We look so Seal Team 6 with this here Sig.”

True Story.

So...

Submitted by Order270 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:27pm.

...what's your point? (btw, I always learn more about people than they know about themselves in 6 days)

(yawn)

Submitted by Free Stinker on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:28pm.

(yawn)

/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال

YeeHaw Hank Mud*

Submitted by cajun2 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:40pm.

Better to talk in a manner where one is honest and open than to talk like a fool.

http://www.moodiranje.com/wp-content/uploads/court-jester-200x250.png

So did they make you wear a yellow duckie costume?

Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:42pm.

Plink! Ow! Plink! Ow!

Still didn't answer my

Submitted by NC Cop on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 11:14pm.

Still didn't answer my question as to why you liberals hate the Constitution, but we're all used to that.

So you spent three WHOLE weekends at a gun range with them? Wow, I didn't know you had put in such in depth research. Let me clue you into something Hank, the only thing you know is Jack and sh*t and Jack just left town.

You know as much about conservatives as you do about the Constitution.

Hank = Bigoted Idiot

Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 10:21am.

The disrespectful teen would be fine if he did not threaten serious harm and then attack the watch guy. This is based on the recording and the witness. It is Martin's fault (and a failure of his parents possibly) for not respecting and following this basic social norm.
---------------------------------
big·ot·ed/ˈbigətid/
Adjective:

Obstinately convinced of the superiority or correctness of one's own opinions and prejudiced against those who hold different opinions.
Expressing or characterized by prejudice and intolerance.

Synonyms:
fanatical - fanatic

--------------------------------
id·i·ot/ˈidēət/

Noun:

A stupid person.
A mentally handicapped person.

Synonyms:
fool - imbecile - blockhead - dunce - nitwit - dolt

-- 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.

Zimmerman is a registered

Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 03/31/2012 - 3:56am.

Zimmerman is a registered democrat. Please show us your report on these freaks, complete with empirical data, validations and methods used to produce the results.

Non, je ne regrette rien. "You aren't angry because I might be a racist, you're angry because you know I'm right".

Don't put words in my mouth, Clay.

Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:09pm.

Better have a family meeting and let everyone know if your home is ever invaded it's every man for himself.

Guns are already illegal...

Submitted by Order270 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:12pm.

...FOR criminals. We have THE (crazy) "Human Right" to protect ourselves from criminals who already use ILLEGAL drugs, ILLEGALLY assault, ILLEGALLY steal, and ILLEGALLY do anything to get something for nothing and damn the innocent. Just how ILLEGAL does life have to be before the unicorns and rainbows show up?

Democrat Clay,

Submitted by upcountrywater on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:19pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuhKCiY-lu0&feature=related

What would Henry do?

You Didn't Build That.

delete

Submitted by Order270 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:10pm.

delete

Soapbox for 5 minutes............................

Submitted by Tomorama on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:05pm.

Randy or Newsbusters in general:

I must admit I was disappointed there was no story anywhere I could find on Bobby Rush, the Illinois Congressmen who took it upon himself to wear a hoodie on the House floor this week in regards to Trayvon Martin.

Considering only weeks ago 49 SHOOTINGS HAPPENED IN ONE WEEKEND IN CHI-TOWN, many dead including a 6 year old and WHERE WAS THE OUTRAGE THEN from "Bobby"?

Chi-town, is that not in Illinois?

Did any of the VICTIMS "look like the President"???????

Say isn't Obysmal from Chi-town?

Sorry, this whole "thing" is really ticking me off.

If you make poverty easy, you will have more of it. Benjamin Franklin

My bad..................

Submitted by Tomorama on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 4:20pm.

My bad it was only:

10 dead, 49 wounded in 46 shootings over the St Patrick's day weekend in Chicago.

Holder, Jesse, Obysmal all from there?

Bobby, Bobby Rush?

If you make poverty easy, you will have more of it. Benjamin Franklin

Folks, the Clay fella

Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:50pm.

is sitting in his...what?... bathroom? with a woody thinking he's riled up all the stupid conservatives on NB as he pretends to be the caricature he believes progressives are in the minds of fair-minded conservatives. Ignore this idiot and let him finish his business in peace.

Enjoy your hand Clay.

Good one, bk,---

Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 5:58pm.

it appears that Ol' Hank really IS a caricature.

"The credibility of the story is undermined by the selection of sources." - (h/t Jer)

Peaceful little neighborhood,

Submitted by Pinetree3 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 10:51pm.

Peaceful little neighborhood, Henry Clay??? That "peaceful suburbs" crime rate is 2.3 times the natl. average!

http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Sanford-Florida.html

The most racist elements in society today are the blacks

Submitted by gmaniac1 on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 11:02pm.

within the democratic party hence why I distance myself from them as much as possible. Dr. Alveda King is the prime example of what it is to be a rational black civil rights leader in this country. She has an amazing insight to what is really going on.

Well, Gun Freaks,

Submitted by nolefan2 on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 1:05pm.

if it was such a peaceful suburban neighborhood, what was the need for a Neighborhood Watch program???????? The fact that they had such a program, may have made it a peaceful neighborhood.