Media Ethics Project Brings FCC Action Against CBS News Using Forged Documents in 60 Minutes II

Media Ethics Project (MEP") of New York has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC") to sanction CBS News and its parent organization, Viacom, Inc., for its recent broadcast of news reports based on use of forged documents. MEP contends that the CBS broadcasts violated the FCC policy related to the broadcasting of falsified, faked, distorted or staged news reports. Since the CBS reports attacking President Bush s National Guard service hold the possibility of directly impacting the views of voters, MEP has asked that the FCC expedite its consideration of the groups Petition.

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 19, 2004 -- Media Ethics Project (MEP") of New York today petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC") to sanction CBS News and its parent organization, Viacom, Inc., for its recent broadcast of news reports based on use of forged documents. MEP is a newly formed group seeking to focus on the public interest responsibilities of mass media organizations.

In announcing the FCC filing, MEP Chairman William L. Whitely stated: The actions of CBS News over the last week have been truly outrageous. Most people familiar with Dan Rathers reports have seen solid evidence from various credible sources showing the documents to be forged. Yet, day in and day out, CBS has stubbornly continued to maintain that the memos are authentic. This is supremely arrogant conduct violates the public trust and the rules and policies of the FCC. Viacom, as the holder of 39 television station licenses and 185 radio stations, cannot be allowed to flaunt the Commissions rules and policies in this manner. "

The MEP Petition to the FCC cites two recent 60 Minutes II broadcasts and several editions of CBS Evening News, which carried reports by CBS anchor, Dan Rather, and others, criticizing the National Guard service records of President George W. Bush. The CBS reports referenced as supporting materials certain purported U.S. Government documents allegedly written by a National Guard officer critical of the then Lieutenant Bush.

Immediately following the airing of the original 60 Minutes II report, questions began to be raised, initially via Internet news sites and blogs, and subsequently by various news organizations, challenging the authenticity of the documents. Additional questions have been raised daily since the first broadcast on September 8.

MEP contends that CBS actions in continuing to maintain the authenticity of the documents in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary, violates the established policies of the FCC. The Commission prohibits the broadcasting of falsified, faked, distorted or staged news reports as contrary to the public interest.

MEP contacted Viacom counsel on Monday and Tuesday of this week, proposing that the entire controversy be referred to an independent reviewer. Viacom rejected the MEP approach in a public statement issued late Wednesday by Andrew Hayward, President of CBS News. Hayward stated that notwithstanding all the questions" that had been raised, CBS remained satisfied that the memos were accurate" and would redouble [its] efforts to answer those questions.

MEP is seeking a ruling by the FCC finding that the deliberate actions of CBS and Viacom in continuing to report the underlying National Guard story, while maintaining the authenticity of the documents, constitutes fraud and a violation of the Commissions rules and policies. MEP is asking the FCC to sanction Viacom including imposing fines and ordering forfeiture of one or more broadcast licenses .

Mr. Whitely added that, This whole episode must be regarded as a remarkable failure of management. It is truly sad that the proud traditions of professionalism of CBS News, the division built by the likes of Morrow, Severeid, Reasoner, Mudd and Cronkite, have been allowed to slowly fade away. In their place is an organization where unprincipled ego, bias, negligence, partisanship and vindictiveness apparently determine the setting of management policy. Such changes are not in the best interest of CBS, the CBS affiliates and CBS shareholders, nor, most certainly, are they in the public interest as well. Staying to this course, the House that Paley Built will likely become the Network that Rather Wrecked."

Since the CBS reports attacking President Bush s National Guard service hold the possibility of directly impacting the views of voters, MEP has asked that the FCC expedite its consideration of the groups Petition.

# # #