NBC to do ‘internal investigation’ on Zimmerman segment (edited 911 call)

[alp227]

NBC told this blog today that it would investigate its handling of a piece on the “Today” show that ham-handedly abridged the conversation between George Zimmerman and a dispatcher in the moments before the death of Trayvon Martin. A statement from NBC: “We have launched an internal investigation into the editorial process surrounding this particular story.”

Great news right there. As exposed by Fox News and media watchdog site NewsBusters, the “Today” segment took this approach to a key part of the dispatcher call:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black.

Here’s how the actual conversation went down:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.

Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/post/nbc-to-do-internal-investigation-on-zimmerman-segment/2012/03/31/gIQAc4HhnS_blog.html

Geez...way to go NBC, the right wing blogs are running into a panic over all this and fears that NBC is trying to incite riots.

(ETA) The segment begins at the 6 minute mark here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/46913502#46867109

apparently NBC News deleted the individual video of the segment.

[K Gardner]

1. What an absolutely stupid thing to do. n/t

[CAPHAVOC]

4. What they did was edit the call?

Why? Looks bad for NBC. Heads will roll. Not helpful.

[robinlynne]

2. well, NBC was wrong. and it shoudl investigate. as for inciting riots, I dont think so.

[Spazito]

3. Well, I hope they are going to cover the full 911 call...

including the "assholes" comment as well as the "fucking _oons" comment from Zimmerman. I don't know why but I bet the rightwing wouldn't be crying foul on those edits.

I don't think NBC should have edited it at all and they shouldn't bleep the controversial bits either while they are at it.

[dkf]

5. Wow. Just wow.

That is what is wrong when a case is prosecuted through the media.

[JDPriestly]

6. I have always heard the full version. Thank you, DU.