(ABC's) Westin Cautions Care with CBS Story

[kskiska]

Looks like they're finally getting it. They could be next.

ABC News' president has cautioned reporters that their mission in reporting on the CBS document story is not to stick it to a competitor.

(snip)

In a memo sent last week, ABC News President David Westin issued a directive for covering the allegedly forged memos cited on 60 Minutes.

“We need to stick as close to the facts and what we know about them as possible,” he wrote, because, noting, ABC could be in the hot seat next time. How best to sum up CBS’s dilemma? Westin chose to paraphrase Churchill: “When boys are throwing rocks at a frog, it may seem like good fun to the boys, but to the frog, it's serious business." While ABC may not be able to turn a frog into a prince, it is willing to vindicate a competitor. “If CBS News is wrong, we owe it to everyone to make the point; if they’re right, we owe it to everyone to make that point as well.”

more…
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454221?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP

[troubleinwinter]

1. Integrity? Professionalism? Yowzie, aint seen that around for awhile.

[the Kelly Gang]

2. someone pick me up from the floor !

[Algorem]

3. They have to be told that?Or is it their usual job to stick it to someone?

[alittlelark]

4. ACTIONS speak louder than words

Start Acting!!!!


But thanks for the crumbs

[Spinzonner]

5. Well, he'll be hearing from Corporate

there goes his career

[bluestateguy]

6. Oh brother.

A story about how one news network is covering how another news' network is covering a story. :eyes:

It's really time to get the corporations out of the media business.

[leftchick]

7. Is this ABC's CYA memo?

call me cynical... :eyes:

[CookieD]

13. Maybe it was forged.

n/t.

[teryang]

8. Elevating the absurd to an art form

They never covered the story. But they cover the story about the impeachment of the sources of the story without covering the story.

[Flammable Materials]

9. What's really sad about this ...

... is that we're all getting excited over something that the news media should do anyway. It's like getting excited because you child finally decides to start doing his homework and turning it in on time.

[UpInArms]

10. or when the toddler starts using a fork

to eat mashed potatoes.

[GiovanniC]

11. Actually, No. You're Wrong.

We're not getting excited over something the news networks should be doing anyway.

We're getting excited merely because a news outlet said they'll do something they should be doing anyway.

In other words, it's sadder than you think.

[Flammable Materials]

12. Damn, you're right!

So I guess it's more like getting excited because your daughter says she's going to get off Crack and get into rehab - for the 18th time.

[Almost_there]

14. I think this is just CYA...

This is really just an opportunity for ABC to grab a few points from CBS in the ratings. The execs at NBC, ABC, CNN and Fox must LOVE seeing CBS burn on this. It just puts some more viewers into play for them, and a memo like this, to me at least, is simply a press release saying "hey! Look at how honest we're being, as opposed to those CBS losers. We'd NEVER lie to you! Watch OUR crap!"

~Almost

[candy331]

15. ABC is correct they will be next whether they toe the lie/not

CBS not only toed the line but let them hold the line. Don't they know soon Fox will be the only news source allowed, all others will take marching orders from Fox. Fight with CBS and have a chance of survival or gleefully snicker behind closed doors at CBS, but remember the last laugh will be on you ABC.