CBS Refuses to Show American's Murder.

[travelinman]

RATHERBIASED.COM UPDATE
May 12, 2004

==========
WHAT'S NEW
==========
<http://ratherbiased.com/news/>

CBS Refuses to Show American's Murder.
<http://ratherbiased.com/news/content/view/84/2/>

--After playing a pivotal role as the first to broadcast photographs of Iraqi prisoner abuse which U.S. military officials feared would lead to death of Americans overseas, CBS News has declined to show the beheading of an American civilian in an apparent retaliation for the Iraqi images.

The decision--made first by the staff of the CBS Evening News, including managing editor Dan Rather--now an official news division policy, came on the same night that the network announced it was going to air footage of an American casually talking about killing Iraqi prisoners on tonight's 60 Minutes II program.

CBS's choice to not air the decapitation Nick Berg provoked much outrage from its viewers, who faulted the network for igniting a global firestorm over American misconduct while declining to show the murderous actions of America's enemies.

"After watching it [...] I can see why the media does not want you to see it," said a poster at FreeRepublic.com, a conservative bulletin board site whose members deluged the CBS's switchboards with hundreds of calls Tuesday evening."It would instantly turn public opinion in favor of a fast and furious escalation of the effort in Iraq."

The official explanation given by network officials late yesterday was that CBS could not broadcast the clip in its entirety due to Federal Communications Commission regulations against indecency, but that excuse rings hollow considering the fact that news programs are given considerable latitude by the FCC.

In fact, gruesome and barbaric images, while certainly uncommon network fare, have been shown by CBS and other networks a number of times over the years.

During the Vietnam War, for instance, CBS aired extremely graphic pictures of a U.S. allied South Vietnamese soldier shooting a Vietcong officer in the head. CBS even produced a special report on the event, complete with a play-by-play narration from correspondent John Lawrence.

Other graphic and offensive images which have been broadcast by CBS and other American networks include footage of a burned and naked Vietnamese girl running away from American napalm and the infamous Rodney King beating. NBC has twice (1997 and 1999) broadcasted the uncensored versions of the 1993 Holocaust film Schindler's List, complete with ghastly imagery and full female nudity.

The FCC declined to take action against the networks for any of the above broadcasts. Nor would it have succeeded had it attempted to because they each had redeeming news and political value.

Should CBS have shown the film of Berg's murder in its entirety? We won't claim to answer that. But it should at the very least show a blurred version of the clip, complete with a strong warning beforehand. It certainly led the way in showing blurred images of naked Iraqi prisoners being humiliated by some American troops.

CBS stood for Americans' right to know the horrors of Vietnam, it ought to do so for the horrors of the war on terrorism--on both sides.

These are images that CBS has an obligation to air, especially if its broadcast of Iraqi prisoner abuse did contribute to Berg's death.

N.B.: We are providing a link to the video of Berg's murder for a short time. See the end of the online version of this article for a link to the clip. We strongly advise against allowing children to view it.

(Use the link above to post your comments on this article)

'60 Minutes II' Airs More Footage From Iraq's Prisons.
<http://ratherbiased.com/news/content/view/85/2/>

--After stirring worldwide controversy with their broadcast of images of American soldiers humiliating Iraqi prisoners, Dan Rather and his 60 Minutes II colleagues are airing a followup report of a U.S. soldier's video diary in which she proclaims not to care about mistreating or killing Iraqi prisoners under her charge. The report will air tonight at 8 pm eastern.

(Use the link above to post your comments on this article)

Copying Koppel?
<http://ratherbiased.com/news/content/view/83/2/>

--In a move reminiscent of ABC's Nightline, the CBS Evening News has begun airing a "nightly salute" to American military personnel killed in battle. But Dan Rather and company have apparently learned from ABC in at least one area: they will not be excluding soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

ABC, of course, was heavily criticized for leaving out casualties in the Afghan theater during an April 30 Nightline devoted entirely to listing war dead.

Interestingly enough, Tom Bettag, the executive producer of Nightline who originally came up with the idea of the ABC special worked at CBS for many years producing the Evening News.

Rather's program aired its first segment Monday night.

(Use the link above to post your comments on this article)

** Go to <http://ratherbiased.com/news/> to view links inside stories mentioned here. **

=============
TAKE ACTION
=============
If you'd like to contact CBS News, go to: <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/08/01/eveningnews/main15218.shtml>

FORWARDING: Spread the word about Dan's partisan politics disguised as news. Forward this RatherBiased.com newsletter to those you know.

=================
SUBSCRIPTION INFO
=================
RatherBiased.com Update is a free e-mail newsletter sent to our readers periodically. In addition to alerting you to our most important Web site additions, RatherBiased.com Update occasionally features bonus Update Extra items.

CONTACTING US: Our servers automatically delete replies to this address! Please send all correspondence regarding RatherBiased.com Update to the user "info." The rest of the address stays the same. You can also use our comment form at <http://ratherbiased.com/comment.htm>

SUBSCRIBING: To automatically subscribe to go to <http://ratherbiased.com/updates/rbupdate.htm> and enter your e-mail address. Make sure the Subscribe option is checked. You will receive an e-mail confirming your subscription. If you do not receive this message, please check to make sure you have entered your e-mail address correctly.

UNSUBSCRIBING: Go to <http://ratherbiased.com/updates/rbupdate.htm> and enter your e-mail. Make sure the Unsubscribe option is checked.

ADDRESS CHANGES: Go to the address above and unsubscribe your old address. Then, go back and add your new one.

PRIVACY POLICY: Your privacy is assured at RatherBiased.com. We will never give or sell your e-mail address to any other entity without your permission.

==========
CITATION
==========
When quoting information from this newsletter or from our Web site, please include appropriate citation.

RATHERBIASED.COM
<http://www.ratherbiased.com>

_________________________

[Raven Soul]

Consumption Junction has it over on their website, the whole thing, not edited at all.

I can't watch it though. Some things are better left unwatched.

[Emperor Napoleon]

Going to email CBS.

[Emperor Napoleon]

I emailed CBS Evening News the following:

"Just once why don't you serve America's interests instead of your own perverted agenda? SHOW the brutal murders of Americans by the Iraqui "insurgents". You were quick to show the "prison abuse" photos. Apparently your organization feels the deaths of more Americans will generate more news?"

[jumper69]

I saw it and it is truly horrific. My first emotion was shock. My second, almost immediate, emotion was pure white hot rage!

I would not hesitate for a nanosecond to extract retribution on those who committed this heinous act.

If you can view that video and not feel rage towards our enemy then I feel sorry for you. This is no longer about whether we should be in Iraq or not. This is about Good vs. Evil. This is about US vs. those that would see us subjugated to Allah or dead.

I ask forgiveness for feeling this way but I would not lose any sleep over the death of men, women, and children via any means available. I only wish I were able to help deliver that death.

I have truly lost any trace of my humanity towards man. My soul is empty and I no longer view Islam or Muslims as anything other than targets.

Watch the video. You'll understand

[jumper69]

PS: Dan Rather is a FUCKING PUSSY!!!!

[jumper69]

PSS: Those stupid stupid American prison guards are equally culpable for the death of Nick Berg. I hope they can sleep at night. I couldn't.

[Emperor Napoleon]

"I no longer view Islam or Muslims as anything other than targets."

And yet you said I was insane when I was saying "10,000 to 1 for 9/11" Remember? I have viewed the Islamic world with utter contempt since 9/11 and will never change my stance.

[Raven Soul]

My friends reaction was the same as yours. First he was shocked and may have cried, then he got completly angry.

[jumper69]

some of us take longer than others....

All I can say.