September 10, 2004

CBS Investigates "Memogate"
Posted by McQ

From Drudge:

CBS NEWS executives have launched an internal investigation into whether its premiere news program 60 MINUTES aired fabricated documents relating to Bush's National Guard service, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"The reputation and integrity of the entire news division is at stake, if we are in error, it will be corrected," a top CBS source explained late Thursday.

The source, who asked not to be named, described CBSNEWS anchor and 60 MINUTES correspondent Dan Rather as being privately "shell-shocked" by the increasingly likelihood that the documents in question were fraudulent.

Rather, who anchored the segment presenting new information on the president's military service, will personally correct the record on-air, if need be, the source explained from New York.

UPDATE (JON): I Love Jet Noise has a pretty comprehensive roundup of media reaction (or lack thereof) to this story, as well as notable quotes from the family of the late Lt Col Killian. (hint: they're not buying it, and they're mad. At CBS. )

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Comments

Thanks for the link :)

My server is down right now so I can't post this, but American Spectator says they have a source who claims the memos came from the DNC via the Kerry campaign (i.e., they were never in Killian's personal effects). The link was working on and off this morning:

Interesting, if true.

Posted by: Cassandra at September 10, 2004 07:24 AM

The local CBS radio affiliate mentioned the "kerfuffle" on the radio this morning. At the tail end of the newscast, where the mildly amusing "how about that?" story usually goes.

First thing they mention is that Killian's family doubts he wrote the memos. He said she said. No mea culpa, that.

Then they said there was possibly some evidence the memos were - wait for it - "doctored".

Doctored? Doctored?

Posted by: Walt at September 10, 2004 08:43 AM