From Deseret News archives:
CBS, Rather apologize for story on Bush, Guard
Rather and CBS News President Andrew Heyward said the documents should not have been used on the air because retired Texas Air National Guard Lt. Col. Bill Burkett, who provided them, had lied about where he got them.
"Now, after extensive additional interviews, I no longer have the confidence in these documents that would allow us to continue vouching for them journalistically," Rather said in a statement noting CBS had been "misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers."
Heyward said CBS News "cannot prove the documents are authentic" and the network will commission an independent review of the process by which the report was prepared.
Rather also issued an on-air apology Monday night.
The disputed documents purport to indicate that Bush had ignored an order to undergo a physical and failed to meet his Guard obligation in the early 1970s.
In an interview aired on CBS Evening News, Burkett told Rather "when I sat down with your staff for the first face-to-face session before I gave up any documents I wanted to know what you were going to do with them."
"And I insisted that they be authenticated," he added.
Said Rather, "The failure of CBS News to do just that, to properly scrutinize the documents and their source, led to our airing the documents when we should not have done so. It was a mistake CBS News deeply regrets."
In addition to not knowing if the documents were authentic, Burkett also could not positively identify the person who gave them to him earlier this year, according to Van Os.
"CBS did the slickest job of coaxing and pressuring him into showing the documents, and when Bill finally showed CBS the documents it was under two major conditions," Van Os said. They were a promise of anonymity for Burkett and assurances that they would check the documents' authenticity.
Comments
- Cougs brace for coaching changes 9:54 p.m.
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves 9:51 p.m.
- Cougar seniors see a new Bronco 9:46 p.m.
- Sports briefs 9:33 p.m.
- Grizzlies acquire Prokop 9:32 p.m.
- Finau makes finals of big break 9:30 p.m.
- Man assaults teens in his car 9:25 p.m.
- Cougars O-line a strength 9:24 p.m.
- U.S. House recognizes Real 9:21 p.m.
- Top prep gridders honored 9:20 p.m.
- Wet spot found in Powell's home
- Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
- Y. opponent nearly smelled roses
- D-Will treats military families to party
- MWC looks better in basketball
- Maynor amazed by L.A. fans
- Pace happy not to be noticed
- High school football: All-region teams
- Jazz Extra: Starting 5
- BYU singers compete in 'Sing Off'
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
178 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
152 - Gay-friendly curriculum phased out
145 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
125 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - Unga might enter NFL draft
106 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
101 - Disappearance called 'suspicious'
96 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
95 - Choir, guests unwrap musical magic
84
First of all, to "20/20," how can you read newspapers and not understand...
Well, I did it. I gave in to the seductions of the ridiculously sexy...
and then go and steal a few players from us (Riley Nelson and not to mention...
Incredible, Beat the Lakers, then lose for the second time to the worst team...
the word is disgusting the word is despicable more momentarily..
Are All The Apps free? Im sure you have to pay for them and also, i bet you...
re: face it | 1:06 p.m. Who told you we want to destroy society? That...
Jazz always lay an egg against terrible teams especially after big wins.
Geez, would like to know what the answers would be. Anything for a...
I pray to the heavens for your wings to spread and guide you over all your...
CAN YOU IMAGINE Your intelligence is in a world within itself!... Your drive...
I believe Pres.Obama is evil. He has an agenda and I do not agree with any of...



You can be the first to comment on this story.