CBS
and
By Lisa Sarrach
CBS and Viacom have a much larger issue to deal with than just this latest imbroglio over Dan Rather and his now uniformly discredited memos.
Not that losing your status as a premiere news organization isnt a big deal but when you put Rathergate together with Janet Jacksons breast, Howard Stern and his battles with the FCC, The Reagans TV Movie debacle, and a weekly prime time slot for the latest Bush bashing author, it appears the cancer isnt contained within CBS News but has metastasized throughout all the Viacom companies.
So it really shouldnt surprise any of us that CBS is circling the wagons around Dan Rather and his latest attack on a Republican president named Bush.
Its not just Dan Rather that doesnt like Republicans and conservative values; its all of Viacom which includes CBS Entertainment, CBS News, MTV Networks and Infinity Radio.
Just during the course of the last year, CBS and Viacom have had to deal with an increasingly irate public over decisions made at the top by executives who obviously dont have a clue.
They dont have a clue about the rest of us in the country who dont live on either coast, but dwell in the heartland, who are trying to raise our families in an increasingly hostile media environment that not only insults our intelligence, but does harm to our children.
This latest onslaught on our sensibilities began with last Falls The Reagans, a patently obvious attempt to slur the legacy of the former president that was so egregious, CBS was forced to cancel the heavily promoted film and relegate it to its sister cable network, Showtime.
Then we were treated to a half time show at the Super Bowl, normally safe for family viewing, that was produced by another sister network, MTV, and included the now infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction; such a gift for the kiddies.
Spring brought with it, new fines for Howard Sterns trash talking nationally syndicated radio show from the Infinity Radio Network, another Viacom company and the weekly trickle of Bush bashing authors on CBSs 60 minutes, many of whose candor and truthfulness have since been called into question with nary a retraction issued by CBS executives or reporters.
Yes, CBS and Viacom have long since declared war on conservatives, heartland values and President Bush.
Now we have come full circle with CBSs year in the harsh spotlight and we conclude with Rathergate. This latest example of blatant political partisanship should be the final nail in the coffin of Dan Rathers career. It should also put an end to any hope CBS may have had to recoup its reputation as a serious news organization.
The house that Ed Morrow and William Palely built does, at last, appear to be gone forever.
We will miss what CBS used to be, we will not miss what it has become.
###
Lisa Sarrach is president of Hollywood-Hero (www.hollywood-hero.us), GOPUSA.COM (www.gopusa.com) national columnist and freelance writer focusing on cultural and domestic policy issues. You can contact her at lsarrach@hollywood-hero.us.