Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Old Grey Lady Bows to Pressure

Granted Geraldo is a monumental a$$, notwithstanding that does not give the NYT a free pass to libel him. It appears that the pressure for them to come clean has led to this.....

The TV Watch column on Sept. 5 discussed broadcast journalists' undisguised outrage at the failings of Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts. It said reporters had helped stranded victims because no police officers or rescue workers were around, and added, "Fox's Geraldo Rivera did his rivals one better: yesterday, he nudged an Air Force rescue worker out of the way so his camera crew could tape him as he helped lift an older woman in a wheelchair to safety."

The editors understood the "nudge" comment as the television critic's figurative reference to Mr. Rivera's flamboyant intervention. (oh puhleeeze) Mr. Rivera complained, but after reviewing a tape of his broadcast, The Times declined to publish a correction.

Numerous readers, however - now including Byron Calame, the newspaper's public editor, who also scrutinized the tape - read the comment as a factual assertion. The Times acknowledges that no nudge was visible on the broadcast.

I suspect that the Times lawyers surmised Rivera could have a case here and suggested the prudence of issuing this pseudo correction. BTW notice there are 18 corrections listed in todays addition. Might be a good idea to print less propaganda and more facts.

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