Legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Muro Furore your own industry In a 1958 presentation which has been famous “Wire and Lights in a Box”. Revoging, he warns broadcast journalists Radio television news director association About the dangers of getting corporate and special interests in the way of concrete reporting.
Murro asked his colleagues to present “fair and peacefully”, even on controversial subjects, saying that the public appreciates such efforts “Roshan” instead of Movement. Failure to execute this important responsibility of journalism, Muro warned of broadcasting “wires and lights in a box”.
How sad is there today by seeing CBS, the news organization Muro helped to mold, so it was reduced that it would be a cave under political pressure and Pay $ 16 million to settle a nuisance suit,
CBS once-dominated “60 minutes” instigated his interview for final decline Presidential candidate Kamala Harris, attached to suspected editing practices and then Sandbagging when asked Explain what happened. As can be expected, Donald Trump filed a $ 20 billion case Claiming election intervention in favor of your political rival. The money will be paid by CBS’s original company Paramount.
Basti was cleverly declared by CBS News Just before the fourth holiday of July, a step was clearly designed to hide surrender from Americans who were traveling, cooking and watching fireworks. The announcement made a point to indicate that CBS did not apologize as part of the disposal. Therefore, obviously, CBS only assigns the hands of millions of dollars randomly when it has done nothing wrong.
CBS too Claimed In the announcement that “the lawsuit was completely without merit.” CBS is quite correct in that dispute; When it comes to broadcasting and editing interviews, journalists have a comprehensive first amendment protection. In fact, there is no chance that Trump could win the case in court.
But CBS imprisoned anyway.
One reason for surrender may be that paramount wants to clean the deck with the Trump administration before the rules of the Federal Communication Commission on a proposed on a proposed and to calm things $ 8.4 billion media merger Between Paramount and Skydance Media. Another reason may be that the CBS did not just wanted to risk that whatever skeletons could fall out of the closet, they should receive the case for more formal action.
None of these explanations inspire a major news organization from standing for its free press rights.
Even though CBS has solved this legal problem with Trump, the network has to face An FCC check Regarding its management, or in its absence, Harris “60 minutes” segment. CBS will now look strange for CBS to move in front of FCC acting Dharmi, which after wiralting the eggs from his face with a $ 16 million disposal.
CBS-Paramount Payout for Trump is a change according to the standards of large media corporations. But the size of the payment is irrelevant. CBS will sell its first amendment rights for any amount, derogatory.
CBS News employees are quite angry By the legal surrender of the corporation. But these correspondents and editors should also be concerned about the worker journalism culture that they have helped to create themselves. Lysides media bias chart The CBS lists the news as the remaining of the Center. The first amendment allows for biased and even unprofessional journalism, but some introspection in CBS may be helpful to see if the network is living up to the standards established years ago by Muro.
There was a time when CBS used to fight with establishment on its journalism rights. In 1972, CBS President Frank Stantton saw a Congress committeeIn addition to what was actually aired, CBS telecast refuses to discuss or provide material about “Sales of Pentagon”. He was standing on the basis of the first amendment, saying that any government intervention would ruin the investigative journalism.
There was also a time when CBS produced news to support an informed citizenship, not only for cash checks. CBS President William Pellia for a long timeFound with news workers in early 1960sHis ambitious news coverage plans to incite him. When Paley was asked by veteran correspondent Charles CollingWood how the network would pay for such news operations, he replied, “You guys cover the news: I have received Jack Beni to earn money for me.”
One of the reasons that Muro, Walter Chroncite and Eric Severade’s network were known as one of the most permanent brands of media over the years, often known as a Tiffany network. CBS is falling before the eyes of the country. A media brand that will not stand on the principle will always be suspicious, even if the large merger is eventually approved.
Jeffrey McCall Depauw is a professor of communication at the University.
