When CBS decided not to run its story on Iraq's (lack of) nuclear capabilities-- the story originally preempted by the TANG memos-- they cited an almost bizarrely unfitting explanation: the report might influence the election. But now that
the AP has picked up on this, the reasoning looks a little different:
"I find it amazing that more of the people who watch like hawks and attack us for things they don't agree with don't write or call when people who are supportive of the president or his policies are the predominant part of stories," said Jim Murphy, executive producer of the "CBS Evening News."
This comes pretty close to conceding that the squeaky wheel gets the grease-- and that only Republicans are bothering to call them on it when they don't like what they see.
I think this is a pretty telling, and sobering, admission:
- While we all like to gripe about the SCLM and its corporate ownership, reporters and news editors are also, more simply, human: afraid to be publically rebuked, eager for praise.
- Not enough of us are doing what the right-wing grass-roots has gotten very good at: keeping up the pressure. Have you written to CBS? (I hadn't, although I'd fumed about this editorial decision, until I saw the AP piece.)
We all know what to do. Let's let admissions like this one remind us to get out and do it.