CNN's top international executive, Eason Jordan, asserted a week and a half ago that the United States military had deliberately murdered twelve journalists in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said this at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in front of few hundred people representing several nations. He also said this in front of Rep. Barney Frank (D-Ma.) and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Ct.). To date, Jordan has yet to give concrete proof to back up this accusation, and has managed to suppress all audio, video, and written transcripts of his remarks. Both Frank and Dodd were clearly upset by Jordan's remarks and demanded some proof. None has been forthcoming. I've been following this story since it was reported by Jay Nordlinger in the National Review, as well as Glenn Reynolds on MSNBC.com. Larry Kudlow at NRO wrote about it again this week. What it all boils down to is this. If it is true what Jordan has asserted, he should:
a.) Release all tapes, videotapes, and transcripts of his remarks in Davos.
b.) Provide concrete evidence, including either verbal testimony or written orders from the US Army and/or Marines which stated that journalists were to be targeted.
c.) Admit that he lied, he slimed the US military, and resign in shame.
As Dan Rather learned, albeit the hard way, the blogosphere is here to stay, and bullshit cannot fly without this new "check" on the system. So Jordan had better get his house in order and back up his claim, because if he doesn't, the denizens of the internet will keep this story alive until the mainstream media picks it up. Already some right-leaning papers such as the New York Post, the New York Sun, and the Washington Times have picked up the story. It is only a matter of time before CNN's competitors start running with the story. You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire. Time for Jordan to put up, or resign. It's also time for CNN to salvage what's left of its reputation and conduct a thorough investigation into the charge.
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