What Would Walter Do?
I received quite a bit of feedback about my highly critical judgment of CNN’s decision to go to air two weeks ago with unconfirmed reports of shots fired on the Potomac River. While the transmissions overhead on a police scanner sounded authentic, it turned out to be a routine Coast Guard drill.
Some of my old friends at CNN thought I was right on the money, but others at my former network thought I was wrong about a couple of things. For one thing it was pointed out to me that some very senior people made the decision to go ahead, after it seemed the Coast Guard was not being forthcoming. They disputed the notion that youth and inexperience was a factor. Others picked up on a theme some of you also mentioned. This wasn’t just a case of someone passing along a tip, or rumor. This was something the folks at CNN believed they were hearing and seeing for themselves. The dramatic radio transmissions appeared to be confirmed by a remote camera from local affiliate WJLA, which showed the Coast Guard boats zipping around the water with lights flashing.
I think there is something to be said for that. And honestly if I was there in the newsroom, and I thought what I was seeing and hearing was real, I might have let my zeal get the best of me. I would hope not, but we can all make mistakes.
This came to mind again, as I had the occasion to review President Barack Obama’s eulogy to Walter Cronkite, delivered at Cronkite’s memorial service just two days before the CNN miscue. I wonder if anyone at CNN was listening as the President related this anecdote about the old-school news anchor:
“Even in his early career, Walter Cronkite resisted the temptation to get the story first in favor of getting it right. He wanted to get it first, but he understood the importance of getting it right. During one of his first jobs in Kansas City, Walter’s program manager urged him to go on the air reporting a massive blaze — and we just heard how much he loved fires — a massive blaze at city hall that had already claimed lives. When Walter reached for the telephone, his boss asked, “What are you doing; get on the air!” Walter replied that he was calling the fire department to confirm the story. “You don’t need to confirm it,” the manager shouted, “my wife is watching the whole thing!” Needless to say, Walter made the call, and even as the program manager took to the air himself to broadcast the unfolding tragedy, Walter discovered that it had been nothing more than a small fire that hadn’t resulted in any injuries. He lost his job — but he got the story right.”
I continue to think that CNN’s initial mistake was understandable, but not excusable. But I find the corporate decision to deny any missteps or misjudgments to be the height of arrogance and hubris.
Tags: CNN, Coast Guard, Cronkite, Obama
