root@wnss (root) (11/23/90)
There are three issues involved in the CNN Tapes issue. Two of them,
the confidentiality issue between lawyer and client and the fair trial
issue have been well discussed here.
But the third issue is just as important. How did CNN get the tapes.
I am a journalist with 22 years experience. In that time, I have never
stolen a document (aka tape recording). But on any number of occasions
individuals have provided me the opportunity to review documents, and in
some cases, copy them. Generally this is done under the term "deep
background" with the agreement that I can't broadcast the information,
but may only use it to understand what's going on. It's an agreement I
have never violated.
But that's not to say there aren't some overzelous individuals who would
or as this case might indicate, will provide a news organization with
information, documents, tapes, etc. with no provisions regarding their
use. On the other hand, possibly the CNN crew in some way "fenagled"
an agreement (or lack of agreement) when they obtained the tapes.
Personally, I have absolutely no problem with "deep background". But
as a profession, I do have a problem with individuals who cast our
professionalism into doubt. Until it's determined just how CNN came
into possession of the Noriega tapes, I guess most of the questions
I've raised here will remain unanswered.
Lance Spangler
Senior Producer
ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND DO KVUE Television
NOT REFLECT THOSE OF MY Austin, Texas
EMPLOYER, MY SO, OR ANYONE ELSE!!
[..] cs.utexas.edu!kvue!wnss!rootlas@wnss (root) (12/06/90)
This from UPI - 12-04-90 - 6:11 PM (CST)
A federal judge in Miami says the transcripts of the tapes of
deposed Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega's jailhouse telephone
conversations belong to the public and not just ot Cable News
Netowrk. C-N-N had obtained the tapes and said it had exclusive
rights to the information. But U-S District Judge William
oeveler says the public's right to know should NOT rest on what
he terms the "whims of C-N-N's programming needs." The judge
did delay the release of the transcripts until Thursday to give
C-N-N time to appeal.
I agree on the one hand that the news should be made available to
everyone, but as a broadcaster does this mean that I must turn my
exclusive story over to everyone else in town? It almost seems as
if the judge is making the programming decisions instead of the
"professionals" who are "trained" to make those sort of calls.
I'd be most interested in hearing what others on the net have to
say in response to this.
Lance (Remember, It's ONLY Television!) Spangler
[...] cs.utexas.edu!dogface!wnss!las
Damn fine coffee Norma! Uh, that is you isn't it Norma?
ALL OBLIGATORY QUOTES, DISCLAIMERS, AND OTHER MEANINGLESS DRIVEL APPLIES!