Rivals Accuse GMA Of “Simply Reckless, Alarmist and Sensational” Coverage

by Mark Joyella | 8:18 am, December 21st, 2010

» 14 comments

The holiday week started Monday morning with a scare on ABC’s Good Morning America. Some of it was real, and some of it, well, wasn’t.

The GMA crew called in power player Brian Ross to report and provide analysis on the arrests of twelve people in the U.K.–considered the largest counterterrorism operation in months. Big story, and fittingly, GMA had its chief investigative correspondent on it.

But later, when police found a suspicious package at Newark Airport, things got scarier. Police evacuated a concourse, and GMA producers–who already had Brian Ross in studio–put him on the desk to provide insight and perspective on the unfolding story in Jersey. There was ominous music and a live picture of police vehicles at the airport. And there was Ross, over two segments and nearly five minutes of morning airtime:

“With a backdrop of U.S. authorities warning of a possible threats around this holiday period…obviously, an attack could take place.”

When smartly pressed by co-hosts George Stephanopoulos and Elizabeth Vargas, Ross raises the stakes:

Ross is asked “how sure are your sources” that this is, in fact, a bomb:

“TSA officers on the scene say they believe it is in fact some kind of IED…improvised explosive device.”

“One concern now is, if it is a plot, it might not just be one airport or one bag, and that’s what they’re looking for now, and the scramble is on.”

Network rivals were quick to bash the use of Ross on a story that ultimately turned out to be a man flying with a computer monitor in his checked baggage–not a bomb. Sources called the coverage “simply reckless, alarmist and sensational.”

An ABC spokesperson defended the coverage, saying the overnight arrests–and Ross’ own coverage of heightened concerns of a holiday terror attack–made the evacuation of a major airport (even as a precaution) a significant story worth covering. Having a seasoned investigative correspondent in studio and deciding to add him to the coverage was a no-brainer.

The spokesperson adds that throughout it all, Ross–while raising possibilities based on his sources’ information–used notes of caution, stressing that there can be “false positives” and false alarms. That, critics say, doesn’t explain the decision to devote so much time to the story in the first place.

In fairness to GMA, hindsight on this kind of story is 20/20, but it’s certain this particular “plot” won’t be covered by Brian Ross on 20/20 anytime soon.

Watch it here, from ABC:

abc, Brian Ross, GMA, terror

Atticus Draco

“Sources callied the coverage “simply reckless, alarmist and sensational.””

Who are these so called arm chair quarterbacking “sources”?
nighean donn

One of them seems to be call Atticus. Your Lazy Boy aught to be worn out by now.
timzank

Atticus Draco said:
“Sources callied the coverage “simply reckless, alarmist and sensational.”” Who are these so called arm chair quarterbacking “sources”?

Probably the producers at NBC and CBS that were pissed they weren’t set up in time to cover it like Ross did?
The Real Royal King

I was disappointed to learn what a “flying computer monitor” was. I thought Dell had begun marketing something new and exciting. Perhaps a monitor and keyboard which follows you about wherever you go. Very disappointing, indeed.

—

Everything is breaking news these days and delivered with breathless urgency. Every time we get a thunderstorm we preempt programming and get special graphics. “St. Cyriacus Storms 2010″ with brilliant lightning in the background, or some such nonsense.
Atticus Draco

timzank said:
Atticus Draco said:
“Sources callied the coverage “simply reckless, alarmist and sensational.”” Who are these so called arm chair quarterbacking “sources”?

timzank said:
Probably the producers at NBC and CBS that were pissed they weren’t set up in time to cover it like Ross did?

I thot Williams did a better job at this “on the spot coverage” than SHEP does!
Atticus Draco

Atticus Draco said:
Reckless, Alarmist and Sensational

YOU wanna see Reckless and Sensational,, watch SHEP during a live EVENT!
Ricia

This “The sky is falling” mentality is why I don’t watch ABC, CBS, NBC et al.
goldmind

George “The Greek Geek” Stephanopoulos, is a master of hype, and a consolation connoisseur. Somebody just been murdered in your family? George will heal the wounds, on one of emphatic broadcasts. He’s only doing what all media goons do…creating urgency and a little good ole fashioned fear. And what a job he does…pretending he really gives a fuck. Strip away the facades of these fraudcasters, and what you are left with is shallow, self indulged ratings ticks who revel in all kinds of calamity, as long as it isn’t at their doorstep. Sure, they employ those morons who dwell at the edge of the eye of the strom (for effect), but that’s what intelligent morons are for. Believing in them, is denying thyself.
lane

Atticus Draco said:
“Sources callied the coverage “simply reckless, alarmist and sensational.””

Who are these so called arm chair quarterbacking “sources”?

Exactly true. ABC didn’t know where the story would lead, only the obvious backdrop of terrorist activity world-wide and an event unfolding. Sounds like sources is a loose term nowadays for media gossiping….

I have to say, given terrorists desire to attack on holidays and recent activities here and abroad, best to just avoid news for the holidays and enjoy them. Unfortunately the people protecting us can’t do it, but we’re lucky enough to choose to.
The Real Royal King

Ricia said:
This “The sky is falling” mentality is why I don’t watch ABC, CBS, NBC et al.

I think they’re generally more controlled than the cable “news” channels.

I still remember the erroneous FOX “News” report that WMD’s had been found in Iraq. Screaming graphics. Breathless, nervous reporters with vocal chords tight enough to flip a quarter on …. Then, when FOX “News” discovered the report to be erroneous, the graphics are pulled, the reports end. Not a word of retraction. That is probably the worst offense I have seen in this matter of things, but it is merely one of many throughout the cable “news” world.
skyfet

Corrupt media Bastards, to quote Sarah.
rr98411

BREAKING NEWS… we have fifth hand reports of an inferno at the home of a prominent citizen of this major metropolis. Citizens reported seeing three suspious individuals in dark clothing running away from the estate, seconds later an inferno broke out. Authorities are expected to arrive at any moment to assess and control the situation. Screams are currently being heard… film at eleven.

Update – Three teenagers left a small bag on the porch of what is described as the “old curmudgen” of the neighborhood. The bag was lit, a small fire resulted, the teenagers ran away. Mr. Smith – “old curmudgen” – was heard to have said “I gonna kick your little asses, you little assholes” He then attempted to extingush the fire by stomping on the small flames with his slippered foot. Upon realizing that the bag contained a substance commonly reffered to as “shit” he was heard screaming. His call to 911 resulted in police declining to respond though he was provided an incident number. John Doe, XYZ News reporting.
goldmind

rr98411 said:
BREAKING NEWS… we have fifth hand reports of an inferno at the home of a prominent citizen of this major metropolis. Citizens reported seeing three suspious individuals in dark clothing running away from the estate, seconds later an inferno broke out. Authorities are expected to arrive at any moment to assess and control the situation. Screams are currently being heard… film at eleven. Update – Three teenagers left a small bag on the porch of what is described as the “old curmudgen” of the neighborhood. The bag was lit, a small fire resulted, the teenagers ran away. Mr. Smith – “old curmudgen” – was heard to have said “I gonna kick your little asses, you little assholes” He then attempted to extingush the fire by stomping on the small flames with his slippered foot. Upon realizing that the bag contained a substance commonly reffered to as “shit” he was heard screaming. His call to 911 resulted in police declining to respond though he was provided an incident number. John Doe, XYZ News reporting.

Brilliant!
rr98411

Update to the update…

Ron Burgandy taking over here with an update. We now have reports on the bag that was used. It is a light tan, paper-based bag typically used in the transport of liquid substance that is referred to as “Old-E”. We were able to ascertain that by the tell-tale crinkle near the top portion of the bag that is made by a twisting motion as demostrated here on my microphone. What is most disturbing is the ease at which the bag and liquid can be obtain. We are doing a follow-up on that part of this story.

We are also in the process of following up on the substance in the bag. We again are hearing from credible sources very close to the suspects that the substance was obtain from a Great Dane. We are on the look out for the Great Dane in the hope of a live interview…. film at eleven.