NBC to Internally Investigate Misleading Segment on Zimmerman 911 Call

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

http://www.nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/04/nbc-investigating-segment-on-zimmerman-call.html?imw=Y

NBC to Internally Investigate Misleading Segment on Zimmerman 911 CallBy Brett Smiley FacebookTwitterShareThis CounterEmail
Zimmerman.
NBC disclosed today that it will be launching an internal investigation into a segment about the Trayvon Martin case that appeared on the Today show, in which a call between George Zimmerman and a 911 dispatcher prior to Martin's death was edited in such a way that it portrays Zimmerman as a racial profiler. The editorial decision under review involves the removal of the dispatcher's inquiry about the race of the person Zimmerman was following — Martin. Absent that question, Zimmerman's comments get strung together as if he said, in sequence, "This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black."

The Washington Post provides the full transcript of that part of the call:

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.

Of course Zimmerman goes on to follow Martin against the advice of the dispatcher, but in this version of the call, it doesn't appear that he's awkwardly offering the information or in effect, profiling. Zimmerman still might have been, but the truncated call left much less doubt.

The Post's Erik Wemple writes that in a case where few facts are undisputed, it was particularly egregious to misrepresent one of them, the phone call. "To portray that exchange in a way that wrongs Zimmerman is high editorial malpractice well worthy of the investigation that NBC is now mounting."

Meanwhile New York Times media czar David Carr wrote a column today titled "A Shooting, And Instant Polarization," in which he similarly impugned some media coverage of this controversial case.

That the public is rendering its verdict immediately and firmly may be routine, but choosing sides takes on a deeper, more dangerous meaning when race is at the heart of the story. Race as an explosive issue is nothing new, but it’s been staggering to see it simmer and boil over in our hyperdivided media environment where nonstop coverage on the Web and cable television creates a rush to judgment every day.

Partisan politics and far-flung conflicts fit nicely into that world — who’s ahead, who’s behind, should we stay or go? — but racial conflict? Not so much.

That hasn’t stopped many in the media from displaying the same reflexive vigilantism that some are attributing to George Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon. All over the Internet and on cable TV, posses are forming, positions are hardening and misinformation is flourishing. Instead of debating how we as a culture are going to proceed, an increasingly partisan system of news and social media has factionalized and curdled.

Carr and Wemple are not the only two to call out partisan media and media at large for mishandling coverage of the Martin case, or misrepresenting specific aspects of it. Nor are NBC or Business Insider (chastised by Carr for mishandling dubious photos) the only two to have erred in their coverage.

We'll end with an exchange from Something's Gotta Give, starring Jack Nicholson (Harry) and Diane Keaton (Erica):

Harry: I have never lied to you. I have always told you some version of the truth.
Erica Barry: The truth doesn't have versions, okay?



Original 911 tape:
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Edited tape:
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[Pony Boy]

Wating for LABF to deflect this with a cartoon about Fox news..............

[Spider]

big ****ing deal ... really Zimmerman is still wrong , he deserves the death penalty .end of discussion

[peacepipe]

this doesn't change anything. there is no amt of editing that can change the fact that zimmerman said "****ing coon" on tape. It doesn't change zimmerman knew not only from the tape not to engage with martin but also from a meeting zimmerman had a couple months prior where a police officer that zimmerman invited, told him he was not to be a "viglante". not to carry firearms or act as a police officer.

[cutthemdown]

big ****ing deal ... really Zimmerman is still wrong , he deserves the death penalty .end of discussion

Holy cow the death penalty? That is saved for premeditated murder, child killers and rapists, terrorists who blow people up, serial killers etc. Don't you think saying its first degree premeditated murder a little bit of a reach?

Be reasonable. At most something like 15 yrs.

[cutthemdown]

this doesn't change anything. there is no amt of editing that can change the fact that zimmerman said "****ing coon" on tape. It doesn't change zimmerman knew not only from the tape not to engage with martin but also from a meeting zimmerman had a couple months prior where a police officer that zimmerman invited, told him he was not to be a "viglante". not to carry firearms or act as a police officer.

There is no way you can tell if it was coon or goon. Sounded like him just breathing weird but he did say something. Its funny though how hard people try to make this thing black v white.

[jhns]

There is no way you can tell if it was coon or goon. Sounded like him just breathing weird but he did say something. Its funny though how hard people try to make this thing black v white.

Ok, try making sense of goon. Why was he calling this kid a goon? He walked like a goon?

[peacepipe]

There is no way you can tell if it was coon or goon. Sounded like him just breathing weird but he did say something. Its funny though how hard people try to make this thing black v white.

it was coon.

[Garcia Bronco]

As sad as all this is; It doesn't matter if he called him a "spear chucker". That doesn't change that if his life was in danger that he was within his rights to shoot that kid.

[El Minion]

As sad as all this is; It doesn't matter if he called him a "spear chucker". That doesn't change that if his life was in danger that he was within his rights to shoot that kid.

Teenage black males I guess aren't within their rights to defend themselves against a larger white armed stalking adult male. The irony and injustice in teenage black males having no right to act on their fear when approached by racists spouting adult male strangers, but the racist adult male gets a pass for acting on his racist fear of black teenage boys.

[barryr]

So this is a story about racism? Zimmerman is hispanic, so hispanics don't like black people?

[Pony Boy]

This thread is not about Zimmerman ......... The thread is about NBC and how they mislead it's viewers by omitting part of the 911 call. Zimmerman was answering a direct question not making a statement. If that had happened in a jury trial it would be cause for mistrial.

[DenverBrit]

As sad as all this is; It doesn't matter if he called him a "spear chucker". That doesn't change that if his life was in danger that he was within his rights to shoot that kid.

That might be a big if.

Zimmerman looked fine when he arrived at the police station.
I would expect some blood on his face and or clothes if his nose had been broken in a fight that was 'life threatening.'

Time will tell

[W*GS]

I love the angels-on-a-pin-counting being done by Zimmerman's defenders here.

Zimmerman is a cop-wannabe, about 1/2 step away from those scum who buy fake uniforms and put lights on their cars, who pull over women and rape them.

He was out to look for N-words, came across one, and killed him, despite no real threat to his life or safety. The man is a total pussy.

[Pony Boy]

NBC issues apology for edited Zimmerman 911 call

NBC News issued an apology Tuesday for the way it handled the broadcasting of the 911 conversation between George Zimmerman and a police dispatcher in the Trayvon Martin case.

Following reports that NBC aired audio of the call was edited in a way that implied Zimmerman was racist, the network launched an internal investigation.

"During our investigation it became evident that there was an error made in the production process that we deeply regret. We will be taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future and apologize to our viewers," the network said in a statement cited by The Washington Post.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/03/nbc-issues-apology-edited-zimmerman-11-call/

[barryr]

NBC issues apology for edited Zimmerman 911 call

NBC News issued an apology Tuesday for the way it handled the broadcasting of the 911 conversation between George Zimmerman and a police dispatcher in the Trayvon Martin case.

Following reports that NBC aired audio of the call was edited in a way that implied Zimmerman was racist, the network launched an internal investigation.

"During our investigation it became evident that there was an error made in the production process that we deeply regret. We will be taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future and apologize to our viewers," the network said in a statement cited by The Washington Post.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/03/nbc-issues-apology-edited-zimmerman-11-call/

Before the internet, NBC would have gotten away with that.

[Spider]

Holy cow the death penalty? That is saved for premeditated murder, child killers and rapists, terrorists who blow people up, serial killers etc. Don't you think saying its first degree premeditated murder a little bit of a reach?

Be reasonable. At most something like 15 yrs.

he had no qualms with killing that kid , He took a life , he owes a life

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

this doesn't change anything. there is no amt of editing that can change the fact that zimmerman said "****ing coon" on tape. It doesn't change zimmerman knew not only from the tape not to engage with martin but also from a meeting zimmerman had a couple months prior where a police officer that zimmerman invited, told him he was not to be a "viglante". not to carry firearms or act as a police officer.

Where's the tape?

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

big ****ing deal ... really Zimmerman is still wrong , he deserves the death penalty .end of discussion

So weak you want to end the fight now. LOL Who's got weak sauce now?

[cutthemdown]

he had no qualms with killing that kid , He took a life , he owes a life

But usually the death penalty is created for people who lay in wait to kill, or plan the killing out, or do it for money, or in a robbery. In this case I think whatever the punishment is for 2nd degree murder would be appropriate.

Unless they find some more evidence I think they will go for the lower standard of proof.

[Spider]

But usually the death penalty is created for people who lay in wait to kill, or plan the killing out, or do it for money, or in a robbery. In this case I think whatever the punishment is for 2nd degree murder would be appropriate.

Unless they find some more evidence I think they will go for the lower standard of proof.

what zimmerman did was malicious , he stalked this kid , instigated it , then took his life , Zimm wants to play bad ass , now he has to pay ...... My attempted murder charge was along this line , except he was a married man , I fooled around with his wife , he hunted me down , found me , I still swear he pulled a gun , I used a crow bar ,well guess what No gun cops looked everywhere ( I still say one of the witnesses that watched took it) , they told me that night in Jail if he dies it will be murder ( lack of gun) I panicked and ran when i made bail , long story short , he lived I got assault with a deadly weapon with intent to do bodily harm , Zimmerman victim died and wasnt armed

[Drunken.Broncoholic]

So this is a story about racism? Zimmerman is hispanic, so hispanics don't like black people?

They hate them. Especially out here in Cali. Nortes and Surenos both see them as a threat. LA RAZA won't back down from anyone

[jhns]

So this is a story about racism? Zimmerman is hispanic, so hispanics don't like black people?

I have a lot of Mexican and El Salvadorian relatives. They are easily the most open racists I have ever met.

The media being a bunch of scum is nothing new though.

[Pony Boy]

I have a lot of Mexican and El Salvadorian relatives. They are easily the most open racists I have ever met.
The media being a bunch of scum is nothing new though.

Now this is Racist ......

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3Dr7XdvEk0k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Garcia Bronco]

Teenage black males I guess aren't within their rights to defend themselves against a larger white armed stalking adult male. The irony and injustice in teenage black males having no right to act on their fear when approached by racists spouting adult male strangers, but the racist adult male gets a pass for acting on his racist fear of black teenage boys.

I don't agree that he was being stalked. Once he started slaming his head into the concrete he went from a defense situation to attempted murder. "Shirley" you get that.

[peacepipe]

I don't agree that he was being stalked. Once he started slaming his head into the concrete he went from a defense situation to attempted murder. "Shirley" you get that.stalked,chased, & followed is all the same. zimmerman lost any right to self-defense the moment he persued martin. not only did zimmerman disobey a direct request from police police dispatch, but he knew before that request not to go after martin. Zimmerman had a watchdog meeting in september of last year where he invited a cop which blatantly told zimmerman & everyone at the meeting you are not to carry a firearm,not to be a "vigilante". not to act as police. zimmerman knew all along he was in the wrong.

[jhns]

stalked,chased, & followed is all the same. zimmerman lost any right to self-defense the moment he persued martin. not only did zimmerman disobey a direct request from police police dispatch, but he knew before that request not to go after martin. Zimmerman had a watchdog meeting in september of last year where he invited a cop which blatantly told zimmerman & everyone at the meeting you are not to carry a firearm,not to be a "vigilante". not to act as police. zimmerman knew all along he was in the wrong.

To be fair, you are both kind of right. With the way the law is being used, Garcia is right. What the guys who wrote the law say it should be doing, shows that you are right. In the future, it will be changed so that you can't run somebody down and then claim self defense. It is a given that thete is zero problem that night if Zimmerman doesn't create the situation. Zimmerman is a known violent criminal that shouldn't have had a gun in the first place. There will be major changes now that they see they have given everyone a right to kill whoever they want. You just have to pick a fight and wait for the other person to throw a punch. Trust me, it isn't hard to get someone to take a swing at you.

In summary, he is right on the way it is now. You are right about the way it should, and will, be.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

This thread is not about Zimmerman ......... The thread is about NBC and how they mislead it's viewers by omitting part of the 911 call. Zimmerman was answering a direct question not making a statement. If that had happened in a jury trial it would be cause for mistrial.

Rep!

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

stalked,chased, & followed is all the same. zimmerman lost any right to self-defense the moment he persued martin. not only did zimmerman disobey a direct request from police police dispatch, but he knew before that request not to go after martin. Zimmerman had a watchdog meeting in september of last year where he invited a cop which blatantly told zimmerman & everyone at the meeting you are not to carry a firearm,not to be a "vigilante". not to act as police. zimmerman knew all along he was in the wrong.

Still no tape? Scumbag .

[peacepipe]

the tape that shows zimmerman say ****ing coon,the one that shows police dispatch telling zimmerman to stop following?

[Garcia Bronco]

stalked,chased, & followed is all the same. zimmerman lost any right to self-defense the moment he persued martin.

Legally that is incorrect.

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

big ****ing deal ... really Zimmerman is still wrong , he deserves the death penalty .end of discussion

well not the death penalty.
more like 15-25 years maybe for playing police officer and aggressively chasing the kid down . i herd the kid dad was visiting a friend of his and the teen was out getting something from a store .when the idiot confronted the teen and started fighting.
now the black racists out there jessie jackassson black mafia panthers AL ****on need to fold up their 3 ring circus and stop trying to do LA RIOTS 2which i bet LA BRONCO FAN participated in and also he wants to KILL WHITEY lol i hope LA riot FAN gets upset wid me and call me more names it makes me happy to see idiots get mad at me

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

also people notice me and spider can have a F ing conversation and not become lil pre teen children and call each other names like glory hole trucker lol

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

Where's the tape?

oh you can find tape at walmart or krogers king soopers just about any store hope this helps lmfao

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

but since LA RIOT FAN thinks im racist might as well play the part.
as a whiteo american that kid deserved to be shot since well he was disobeying a order from a white man and as we all know white guys cant ever never be wrong no sir. that kid was black probally part of the crypt blood gang and was about to rape and murder some lil ol white ladies when a hero appeared zimmerman and saved the day <-- there you go my satiric posting on this

[Spider]

well not the death penalty.
more like 15-25 years maybe for playing police officer and aggressively chasing the kid down . i herd the kid dad was visiting a friend of his and the teen was out getting something from a store .when the idiot confronted the teen and started fighting.
now the black racists out there jessie jackassson black mafia panthers AL ****on need to fold up their 3 ring circus and stop trying to do LA RIOTS 2which i bet LA BRONCO FAN participated in and also he wants to KILL WHITEY lol i hope LA riot FAN gets upset wid me and call me more names it makes me happy to see idiots get mad at me

I would support the death penalty , I wouldnt have any qualms with him being put to death , have some one stalk you then attack you , it scares the living hell out of you , almost wiling to call it a terroristic attack

[Garcia Bronco]

That might be a big if.

Zimmerman looked fine when he arrived at the police station.
I would expect some blood on his face and or clothes if his nose had been broken in a fight that was 'life threatening.'

Time will tell

I obviously agree with the "if", but there doesn't need to be blood on him to feel like his life was in danger.

[jhns]

I obviously agree with the "if", but there doesn't need to be blood on him to feel like his life was in danger.

Why would you agree with the if? Even the people that wrote the law don't agree with it...

[BroncoInferno]

I obviously agree with the "if", but there doesn't need to be blood on him to feel like his life was in danger.

He may well have thought his life is in danger; the question is whether or not it was reasonable for him to feel that way. I might think my life is in danger anytime I see a group of people at a wedding reception doing the Electric Slide towards me, but it would not be reasonable for me to feel that way and wouldn't justify my slaughter of such a group. Looking at Zimmerman walking into the station, there was no reasonable cause for him to fear for his life. Not even close.

[That One Guy]

stalked,chased, & followed is all the same. zimmerman lost any right to self-defense the moment he persued martin. not only did zimmerman disobey a direct request from police police dispatch, but he knew before that request not to go after martin. Zimmerman had a watchdog meeting in september of last year where he invited a cop which blatantly told zimmerman & everyone at the meeting you are not to carry a firearm,not to be a "vigilante". not to act as police. zimmerman knew all along he was in the wrong.

Disobeyed a direct request?

LOL

You have to see how silly that sounds.

[peacepipe]

Disobeyed a direct request?

LOL

You have to see how silly that sounds.

DOH! you know what I meant.

[That One Guy]

He may well have thought his life is in danger; the question is whether or not it was reasonable for him to feel that way. I might think my life is in danger anytime I see a group of people at a wedding reception doing the Electric Slide towards me, but it would not be reasonable for me to feel that way and wouldn't justify my slaughter of such a group. Looking at Zimmerman walking into the station, there was no reasonable cause for him to fear for his life. Not even close.

IF IF IF IF IF his head is getting smashed into the ground, his life is in danger. Your comparison is silly and counter-productive.

[DenverBrit]

I obviously agree with the "if", but there doesn't need to be blood on him to feel like his life was in danger.

Didn't he claim to be in a fight with the victim that broke his nose and he feared for his life.....which is how he justified killing the young man??

[BroncoInferno]

IF IF IF IF IF his head is getting smashed into the ground, his life is in danger. Your comparison is silly and counter-productive.

His head wasn't getting smashed into the ground - not with any significant force, at least - as any fool with two eyes can see on the tape. The guy's head is nearly shaven bald and he has no wounds.

[That One Guy]

DOH! you know what I meant.

Well, it's kinda been a big detail. Nobody outright told him not to do it and nobody had the authority to tell him not to. I believe the exact words I read was "we don't need you to do that". Well, the 911 operator nor the cops are going to care if the kid slipped away. They aren't vested in finding out what's going on. To claim that he was told not to pursue is dishonest and misleading.

[That One Guy]

His head wasn't getting smashed into the ground - not with any significant force, at least - as any fool with two eyes can see on the tape. The guy's head is nearly shaven and he has no wounds.

IF is a pretty small word. Surely you understand its meaning.

[DenverBrit]

Take a look at this video and expert commentary. There is no evidence visible that Zimmerman was in a life or death struggle.

Further, the cries for help on the 911 call, according to a voice expert, was not Zimmerman's.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/trayvon-martin-case-doctor-sees-evidence-george-zimmerman/story?id=16055412#.T3y50tn-l8E

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

He may well have thought his life is in danger; the question is whether or not it was reasonable for him to feel that way. I might think my life is in danger anytime I see a group of people at a wedding reception doing the Electric Slide towards me, but it would not be reasonable for me to feel that way and wouldn't justify my slaughter of such a group. Looking at Zimmerman walking into the station, there was no reasonable cause for him to fear for his life. Not even close.

well you should factor in paramedics was on the scene so they probably cleaned him up.
of course the police dept most likely took pics and i bet right now they are investigating this. it takes a while to gather evidence not a hour or 2 like on tv .

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

yalls do know the police dept is investigating this and thus cant come out and say anything seeing how juries have to be impartial they have to hold back evidence from public viewing as much as possible.
do they not ?
if im wrong do point my errors out and try to refer me to some source