Dan Rather

Criticisms of Rather

As one of the last broadcast news journalists from the era of the "Big Three" network news primacy, Rather was highly regarded within his profession by many long-serving journalists. However, there are other journalists who have since entered broadcasting who express dislike for Rather's methods, views, and on-air delivery. Some argue that Rather is too "folksy" or "old-fashioned."

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Conflict along these lines most recently came to light when he refused to run stories about Chandra Levy, a former Congressional intern who went missing for several months before her remains were found in Washington Rock Creek Park about two miles from The White House. Levy disappeared while having an affair with U.S. Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.). Because of the congressman's intimate association with her, he was a suspect in her disappearance. During most of the search for Levy, Rather refused to run any stories about the case and routinely condemned his colleagues off the air for giving airtime to the search for her.

Related Topics:
Chandra Levy - Washington - Rock Creek Park - U.S. Rep. - Gary Condit - D - Calif.

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Shortly thereafter in 2002, the American press began focusing on kidnappings (especially of children like Elizabeth Smart). This time, Rather followed suit in reporting the story. His defenders interpreted the move as an indication that Rather's power for traditionalism within CBS News had declined. His critics interpreted this as his partisanism for refusing to report the Levy story.

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During a 7 March 2005 appearance on CNN, former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite said the following about Rather: "It surprised quite a few people at CBS and elsewhere that, without being able to pull up the ratings beyond third in a three-man field, that they tolerated his being there for so long." Another rationale, however, was that the lead in from the local news stations in a few markets contributed to the lower ratings for Rather's program. In 1987, Cronkite said he would have fired Rather after Rather walked off the set during his broadcast, leaving CBS with dead air for 6 minutes, an eternity in television.

Related Topics:
7 March - 2005 - CNN - Walter Cronkite - 1987

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Others have argued on blogs and websites such as RatherBiased.com that Rather's reporting reflected a liberal bias.

Related Topics:
Blog - Website

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