ABC‘s President Admits Brian Ross’ Tea Party Flub ‘Detracted’ From Their Coverage
- Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:51pm by
Mytheos Holt
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When news of the Aurora shooting first broke, ABC made a judgment call that has since become arguably the low point of journalism pertaining to the shooting – namely, ABC correspondent Brian Ross concluded that, based solely on the shooter’s (fairly common name), he might have had connections to the Tea Party.
This example of Google Search-style journalism was, needless to say, refuted almost immediately, but the embarrassment has lingered, and produced reams of criticism. In fact, even the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, who usually reserves his most pointed barbs for his ideological opponents at Fox News, has done a blistering segment on ABC’s mistake.
Fortunately, it appears that ABC’s top brass has realized this mistake was, in fact, a mistake, and has impeded their ability to cover the story. Politico reports:
ABC News president Ben Sherwood told staff today that last Friday’s incorrect report by Brian Ross detracts from the network’s otherwise excellent coverage of the Colarado theater shooting, network sources tell POLITICO.
Sherwood’s remarks, made on the network’s daily editorial conference call, came the morning after Ross’s report was picked up by late night comedians John Stewart and Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central, both of whom used Ross’s erroneous suggestion of a Tea Party link to the Colorado theater shooting as fodder for their Monday night routines.
On Monday’s conference call, ABC News SVP James Goldston also commended the staff for its work, noted the incorrect report, and said that the network was taking steps to ensure it did not happen again.
The steps that will be taken to ensure this will not happen again are not detailed in the story. However, with the likes of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert calling for Ross’ suspension, that eventuality may be on the table. For now, Ross’s fate at ABC is still an open question, though his (and the network’s) apology for the mistake is a good start.
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Comments (89)
Magyar
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:37pmYea, so Ben Sherwood admits that Ole Brian screwed up—SO WHAT!
Brian is still on staff and another so call journalist from A-lways B-een C-orrupt will do it again.
No accountability and no responsibility!
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:48pmand still no one at ABC has the integrity to ask Ross why he went immediately to Tea Party Rolls looking for a killer. Sickening man..sickening network.
Report Post »Fat Pappy
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 9:56pmAgreed! Had this been a conservative talk show/news “blunder” the liberal media would be calling for someone’s head on a platter.
Report Post »db321
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 10:31pmDon’t worry Ben Sherwood, you’ll still Obama #1 Lap Dog!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 10:54pmTranslation……we will try harder to hide the fact that we are a mouthpiece for the leftist socialist communist liberal DEMOCRAT PARTY……….
Report Post »Independent4233
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:59am“The network will be taking steps to ensure it does not happen again.”
I wonder if he can assure ABC‘s doctoring of the photo showing no wounds on Zimmerman’s head won’t happen again?
Or if the many promos their anchors blurt out in order to get Obama re-elected won’t be continued and, instead, they’ll offer unbiased coverage?
Of course they won’t change. They‘ll continue to hire left wing geeks that think it’s their job to lie and deceive, because they’ve been propagandized to promote radical leftist tenets.
All of them to be rounded up and prosecuted for lies and deception that promote societal upheaval. They’re all a national security threat.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:34pmAnd the repercussions to Mr. Ross for this will be?
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 6:32amThe repercussions for Ross and the network should be a massive law suit from the man they maligned. He had to disconnect his phone, put up with death threats and threats of bodily harm to him and his family because Ross put his foot in his mouth. Rosses rush to blame the right was so blatant that it would have been laughable if not for the problems it caused.
The only thing that ABC and Ross will understand is a big hit in the pocketbook.
OMG Nov 6, 2012
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:34pmdetracts??????????? ‘ya think??????
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:33pmThat was not a flub.That was a direct malicious attack from a communist.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:30pmA “flub”’ is that what liberals are calling hate crimes now.
Report Post »Bigliardi
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:17amBut only the right sort of hate crimes…Hate crimes against whites and Tea Party Members are not allowed….
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:29pmABC sucks just like the rest of the dinosaur media
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:27pmABC “News” approaches each story with the singular goal of helping obama – FACTS rarely creep into their coverage as facts have a NEGATIVE impact on the obama myth. By purposely trying to pin this attack on the Tea Party, ABC “News” has once again proven that they are nothing but a cog in the obama propaganda machine. This Sherwood character is a paid obama propagandist, nothing more, and we can be 100% positive that he and ABC “News” WILL DO THIS AGAIN, many times before the election and the removal of obama from office.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:25pmJournalism has been dead for some time now. With the explosion of media outlets, the ability to use these outlets for agendas has exploded, too. Any real journalists don’t offer the excitement needed to hold an audience, so they are an anacronism. This site is a prime example of it, too. At the end of articles, or in the middle “with emphasis added” bold print, there are opinions in statement or question form.
It’s now up to the individual to sift through all this data with some semblance of education or historical knowledge to be able to gleen any truths. Ergo trolls.
Who watches Chris Matthews besides other media? This guy is so off the map.
NoBama > MoBama
Report Post »colt1860
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:52pmThe Marxist MSM will ALWAYS lie and fabricate stories to further their agenda.
John Swinton, guest of honor at a banquet given to him back in 1880, by the leaders of his craft, journalists, stated:
“There is no such thing, at this date of the world’s history, in America as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinions out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone.
The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.” John Swifnton
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:20pmThey usually link to the Stewart bit. I found it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6T_Qw8wDV8
Report Post »lwillis59
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:07pmthat was spot on!!!!
Report Post »AmericanWomanFirst
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:18pmDetract (AKA..what you do after the fact that makes a A$$ out of you.) Not to mention “Holy Shatz Ba” this you mean there are consequences? $$$$$$$$$$…yeah baby.
Report Post »Bill Wallace
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:14pmPlease…
Let me tell you what “steps” they will take to ensure it won’t happen again.
1. Prepare a list of future apologies for mis-reporting.
Report Post »2. Pull the top apology from the list and read it on air.
3. Repeat as needed.
bikerdogred1
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:13pmAll the facts you get wrong you are starting to look like nbc and cnn,
Report Post »pretty sad.ABC can’t tell the truth or get their facts straight.
kaydeebeau
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 7:53am“starting” to look like??? Continuing might be the better word
Report Post »fastfacts
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:13pmJon Stewart stood up against ABC News last night, slapped them in the face and asked, what does it take to get fired at ABC… hilarious. Some times Jon Stewart has his moments.
Here is the clip: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/july/stewart_fired_abc.html
Report Post »Bigliardi
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:26amYeah, but lacking the vitriol he reserves for attacking conservatives…There was no hatred in his voice last night…Mirth ruled the evening, not the hate he uses when talking about conservatives…His audience was also more subdued than they are when he is dishing out his filth on “the other guys…”
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:12pmNext time they’ll stick with the facts and blame Bush.
Report Post »vic138
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:12pmThe problem sounds like it starts at the head of the company. Accusing the Tea Party of mass murder is not a ‘FLUB’. More of a smear that should involve punishment of some sort. If no example is made then it will happen again, in fact, its almost encouraged.
Report Post »BadDog-NoBiscuit
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:31pmI haven’t heard if the Tea Party guy that was targeted by ABC is planning on taking legal action – has anybody heard anthing?
Report Post »fishmon
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:33pmi disagree. Brian (AKA Scoop) Ross and his ilk should remain front and center as a daily reminder of how slanted the networks are. A very large group of very small people. New media is exposing these clowns almost daily now. Bravo. Hee hee….Scoop
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:26amOnly two situations created this “flup”. Specific intention to smear the Tea Party or Ross has the brain power equal to the average guppy.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:11pmTo late now your drivel done hit the floor.
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:10pmBummer. Mr. Jefferson is no longer with us. RIP
Report Post »klatoo
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:09pmLike, why would I watch ABC news. I want facts not fiction.
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:08pmThis is a great example of capitalism at its finest. Because of the fierce competition in the media world when one outlets makes a mistake the others attack them and shine light on the truth. Once again capitalism prevails.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:05pmHey Sherwood, your news department detracts from your network.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:44pmAnd your network detracts from Disney.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 7:29pmAnd Encinom detracts from stupidity.
Report Post »dblaess
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:03pmAny apology is based on money. ABC realized they are sitting out there as a target for any number of civil suits (read multi-million dollar losses) for picking out of the air a person who is with the Tea Party and suggesting he might be the shooter. All this was done with no fact checking and no expert witness can get around that at a civil trial. The ABC bias against the Tea Party will come back to haunt them and they would be wise to try for a settlement with Mr. Holmes before this becomes a bigger story about ABC.
Report Post »lawrench
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:02pmAgain, Mickey Mouse runs this new organization. This only proves it.
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:02pmWasn’t a flub. Didn’t detract. Simply, par for the coarse.
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:13pmCourse.
Report Post »MAX0O1
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 11:06pmEXACTLY! And there was NO REAL APOLOGY! SUE the BAST***S! IT is the only language they understand.
Report Post »marcus_arealius
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:00pmABC is being sincere.. what Ross said will not happen again.. No, next time it will be a new fresh pack of lies from ABC.
Report Post »roadhog
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 5:59pmABC is a Hard Leftist Network. Nov.6/12 will be a New Day in America.
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