Local Reporter Fired for Editing Similar Zimmerman 911 Tape
- Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:48am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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A Miami NBC reporter was fired Friday over another edited tape of George Zimmerman’s 911 call after he shot Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, journalism institution Poynter reported.
The tape that Jeff Burnside put together for WTVJ-TV is different from the one that aired on NBC’s “Today,” though the two were apparently edited similarly.
(Related: NBC News Apologizes for ‘Error’ in Editing of Trayvon Martin Story)
According to SFL-TV, the WTVJ tape removed the 911 dispatcher’s question about whether Martin looked black, white or Hispanic. Instead, it gave the impression that Zimmerman volunteered the information by saying, “This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black.”
The original call transcript said:
Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.
Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?
Zimmerman: He looks black.
According to the Miami Herald, the tape included text graphics of the quote featuring ellipses, suggesting something might have been cut.
“We take this incident very seriously and apologize to our viewers,” WTVJ spokesman Matt Glassman told the Herald. “After conducting an extensive investigation, we are putting a more stringent editorial process in place to ensure this does not happen again.”
Two other employees were also disciplined in the matter, the newspaper reported.
Burnside declined to get into the matter with the Herald.
“This is obviously very, very complicated,” he said. “I have nothing but good things to say about the NBC6 family.”
An NBC producer was fired for their role in the “Today” case. Glassman told the Herald that tape was a completely separate incident and unconnected to WTVJ.
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Comments (63)
Magyar
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:35pmWhy is there NO criminal consequence for his action–on any level? Oh yea, I forgot, the DOJ is headed by Holder!
Report Post »Constantine Ivanov
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:09pmJó napot kivánok, Magyar!
You “forgot, the DOJ is headed by Holder”?
Report Post »Wow! Doesn’t he remind you and all of us about that every single day?
-:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:) -:)
JRook
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:25pmSo at what point does the exploitation of the Zimmerman shooting of a kid become nothing more than pandering to ideological zealots who have come to comfortable position relative to the killing (comfortable meaning it is consistent with their beliefs and view of the world). There will be evidence presented, there will be a trial and a jury will render a decision. A kid is dead and an adult shot him.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 2:27pmSeems to be rampant within the NBC organization.
Report Post »AZRACISTBIGOT
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 3:38pmSince when do the facts have anything to with a good liberal story involving social injustice
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 4:52pmHolder and Obama are too busy following around Ted Nugent making sure he isn’t hunting illegally..
Where’s Brian Terrys JUSTICE?
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 2:37am@JRook
Great point. Now that more facts are out, the media hasn’t told you what to think about it yet. As soon as they do, no doubt you’ll tell us!
Report Post »TreeTrimmerJim
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:34pmThe good news is someone actually reported the truth and the public noticed. The next good news is now more and more of the press is learning that someone is looking over their shoulder at what they’re doing and will call them on substandard performance.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:34pmIt IS unfortunate that surrounding matters of fact / truth, some in the news view it as “complicated”. I don’t get it…
Report Post »SLEUTH
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 1:08pmno excuse, someone there should have checked it before it aired or sent on. lets face it, they didnt want to. simple…. stop watching this channel, unless you are gullible.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 1:59pmTo be honest, I monitor / watch all of them. I do plenty of research above and beyond and form my own opinion. I’m the antithesis of gullible quite frankly.
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:31pmWas this an “accident” too? Do people realize how difficult it is to edit audio and make it sound unaltered?
No, the obama drones don’t care that they are being lied to… and they won’t care until they are eliminated like all useful idiots.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:27pmDoes the liberal media have some code that says they must edit things, what’s wrong with the truth?
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:25pmConspiracy
Report Post »2SENSEWORTH
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:22pmWe can’t edit tapes now without being condemned – how un-American is that!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:16pmWouldn’t it be better if the reporter were held responsible if something happens to Zimmerman! That would go a lot further than him just getting fired for altering the truth.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:10pmHe was just being a good little Democrat…. Serving the agenda for the greater good of socialism….. He will be working at another propaganda channel very soon……for more money
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:08pmNBC will continue to have their reporters editing tapes on what they report on. This is more of a cover for what they will be doing between now and the election.
NBC = Network Broadcasting Communism
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:05pmThis guy cost cities more money than he will ever make in a lifetime. He should be ostracized by every news organizations. He will probably get on at the White House in some job just for people like him. I despise this man as much as I do the agendas of Obama, Michelle, and cohorts.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:03pmThat man who edited the tapes or pictures should be charged with inciting riots, fraud, he should be sued by Zimmerman as well as all those who engaged in this deceptive display. That man is evil to have done this and caused Zimmerman to live in a very dangerous situation because some drunk, drugged or just plain trouble making blacks wanted an excuse to show their azzes at Zimmerman’s expense. I want to see what that piece of garbage “journalist” looks like. He is about as bad as a serial killer who is too cowardly to kill himself.
Report Post »Iron_Dawg
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:03pmMaybe it would have been better if Zimmerman had said, “This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks like a journalist.”
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:02pmThe sad part is that the damage is already done. Zimmerman will be found guilty regardless of the evidence because the jury doesn’t want to live in fear for the rest of their lives, or be responsible for the ensuing riots.
Report Post »aChameleon
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:02pm“This is obviously very, very complicated,” he said. No, It’s called LYING. It’s not complicated at all. You were LYING and got caught.
Report Post »littlefish
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:02pmGosh . . . .WE are Sooo Sorry . . . . . . . . .
We got caught . . . . . .
And will TRY to . . .NEVER . . . . .
get caught AGAIN . . . .!!!
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:58am@The Blaze: What’s going on with your story “Report: Russian Troops to ‘Seize’ CIA Facility in Elaborate War Game… on U.S. Soil”? First of all, when you follow the links on the highlighted words (ie: “computer”) you get taken to some very dubious sources. Is it a phony article? Then when you try to post later on in that same story, it keeps saying “You must be signed in to post”. Well, obviously, I’m signed in! Has The Blaze been hacked or something?
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:19pmThat’s happened to me b4.. Just close out Firefox or whatever browser you are using and it should fix it.
The Blaze causes more issues with my browsers than any other blog.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:47pm@Chazmo, Thanks! It was really driving me crazy!
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:58amNope just a small sacrifice to make TINK they are making strides……I call BS on these people!!!
Report Post »Optimist4now
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:58amSeems harder and harder to recieve honest factual reporting from the “media”, always an agenda to turbo-charge the drama.
Report Post »kevymac
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:58amMaybe more will start to take heed and realize that there are always “two sides to the story”.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:58amThe people who edited the tapes are only being reprimanded or fired. They should face charges and be jailed. Didn’t they commit fraud?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:10pm@MOM …
How about attempted murder ?.. they a firing up the mobs. I think they need to be jailed .. let them see how it feels.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:57amI hope when Zimmerman is acquitted he comes back and sues people like this. Hell even Glenn said he thought he was guilty. That has put this man in danger for the rest of his life and he should sue for enough money for a compound, security, and never have to leave his compound again.
Report Post »aChameleon
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:06pmI believe obama is the worst offender when he endorsed trayvon as loving him like a son.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 1:36pm“Hell even Glenn said he thought he was guilty.”
I seriously doubt Glenn ever said such a thing.
Report Post »Maybe your memory has been editted.
Mutiny
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 5:26pmOk Glenn said “zimmerman is probably guilty.”
Report Post »daveinlex
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:56amI think that these malicious news people should be brought up on criminal charges…maybe inciting a riot or something.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:14pmAgree .. throw them in jail and see how they like it ….
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:55amThe lefty media will do everything it can to see Zimmerman in prison and sacrificed at the altar of racial politics. Only this time..I think it will backfire on the left.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:00pmIt won’t backfire on them. It will just quietly go away.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:03pmHope so. But look at the Secret Service/ military allegations. The Left gets everything out in the Media. Ruin reputations before anything gets cleared. Ted Stevens was an example. These Democrats are ruthless and in control of the media. Hope this Zimmerman case bites them..especially with the Hispanic vote. These Democrat thugs deserve that.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 12:06pmNBC .. I am SHOCKED … not … yes .. same mindset as the national MSM … disgusting ..
If you would like to tell the Governor of Florida that you think Zimmerman is being railroaded you can contact his office through the link below .. You can use for County “Charlotte” and the zip as “33951”
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:53amJustice at last! More to follow!
Report Post »