House Homeland Security Committee Chmn. Cox (R-Cal.), also a lead...
House Homeland Security Committee Chmn. Cox (R-Cal.), also a leading member of the House Commerce Committee, urged Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) to investigate CBS News for airing “apparently forged” documents about President Bush’s National Guard service. Cox said…
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in a Sept. 14 letter to Upton that several print outlets found experts who claimed the documents weren’t authentic. “Despite the growing abundance of evidence that CBS News has aided and abetted fraud, the network has declined to reveal the source of the disputed documents,” Cox said. Given the short time between until congressional adjournment and the election, Cox urged the subcommittee to “move with all deliberate speed to uncover the facts.” At press time CBS didn’t have a comment. However, House Commerce Committee Chmn. Barton (R-Tex.) said the Committee wouldn’t take up Cox’s concerns since it doesn’t have jurisdiction. “More specific to the issue, a news organization’s responsibility is to facts and truth, but the oversight of network news generally is a matter best sorted out by the viewing public and the news media. I do not personally believe these documents are legitimate, and it seems clear that the press and the two presidential campaigns are properly dealing with that issue,” Barton said. Barton invited Cox to conduct an investigation through the Homeland Security Committee. Meanwhile, during a Homeland Security Committee hearing on the role of broadcast news media in fighting terrorism, Cox said news organizations should participate in govt. terrorism drills to better prepare for distributing vital information following a terrorist attack. Cox also said news organizations’ pressure to be first led to some “unseemly incidents.” Citing remarks by former Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham, he said the media could be a powerful weapon for terrorists. He also said the news media shouldn’t pressure govt. to prematurely resolve terrorist incidents, such as hostage takings. Frank Sesno, George Mason U. prof. and former CNN newscaster, said media outlets should train reporters and editors on covering homeland security issues so they can inform the public better about attacks. RTNDA Pres. Barbara Cochran said the media’s main responsibilities in helping combating terrorism are: (1) Helping prepare the community by reporting on risks and disseminating information before emergencies. (2) Being ready to report factually and comprehensively when an event occurs. (3) Securing broadcast facilities as well as possible so they can operate after an emergency.