CBS
to Name Panel to Exam Bush Guard Story
AB
^ | Sept. 21, 2004 |
Within the next few days, CBS News expects to name an independent panel of experts to scrutinize its reporting of President Bush's National Guard service after its defenses for airing the explosive story crumbled. Now CBS opens its doors to an outside panel that will assign blame. "I think it will be helpful, given the attention this story has received, for cool, collected, independent voices of unchallenged integrity to examine the process," CBS News President Andrew Heyward said.
The White House said the affair raises questions about the connection between CBS's source, retired Texas National Guard member Bill Burkett, and the Kerry campaign. Burkett, who did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Bress, told USA Today that he had agreed to turn over the documents to CBS if the network would help arrange a conversation with the Kerry campaign. CBS admitted giving Burkett's number to the campaign, but said it was not part of any deal.
Burkett admitted this weekend to CBS that he lied about obtaining the documents from another former National Guard member, the network said. CBS hasn't been able to tell were the fakes came from, but a good place to look may be Kerry's Headquarters.
The following is a list of people CBS is considering to put on the panel:
