Bozell Rejects NBC's False Apology

April 4, 2012 - Last week, NBC’s “Today Show” doctored George Zimmerman’s 9-1-1 call so that his motive for shooting Trayvon Martin appeared racial.  Over the weekend, NBC reported to The Washington Post that an investigation would be forthcoming after the Media Research Center exposed their fraud.  It appears NBC’s investigation has been completed.  Last night, NBC issued a two sentence explanation on it.  Media Research President Brent Bozell says that this is as dishonest as the original piece.

"We reject this fraudulent apology,” said Bozell.  “We're not surprised. After all, NBC 'investigated' itself. We again call on Comcast, not NBC, to investigate this matter -- thoroughly, honestly, and professionally.”

In NBC’s apology, they stated that an “error” was made and that they “deeply regret” it.  "There was no 'error,' as if a 'mistake' was made. This was a willful distortion, deliberately taking the quotes out of context in order to twist their meaning and feed the narrative of a racist assault. The level of dishonesty and journalistic abuse of the public trust is astonishing,” contends Bozell.

Yesterday, the MRC issued a press release calling for NBC parent company Comcast to lead the investigation stating that having NBC conduct the investigation is equivalent to having Nixon investigate Watergate.  

"It is unclear to me if NBC is laughing, or spitting in the face of the public with that 'apology.' The 'investigation' apparently was as thorough and honest as the explanation: two whole sentences of nothing.”

“NBC just calls it an 'error' which was 'made in the production process,' as if someone hit the wrong key on a machine. Or maybe it's the machine itself that is responsible,” stated Bozell. 

Bozell stands by his position that Comcast must investigate NBC’s fraud.  “Comcast needs to come clean with the public: Who was responsible for doing this? Who knew about this? Why was this done? What disciplinary measures will be taken? How can the public ever trust this 'news' network again'?”

Bozell asserts that NBC has lost its credibility as a news organization.  "That final question is the most important. With this farce of an 'apology' NBC has lost its credibility -- completely."



To schedule an interview with MRC President Brent Bozell or another MRC spokesperson, please contact Colleen Sullivan - csullivan@crcpublicrelations.com or Hayley McConnell - hmcconnell@crcpublicrelations.com or call (703) 683-5004.