http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-916412.mp3
Macomb, IL – The panelists talk about the irresponsible video circulated by right wing blogger Andrew Breitbart.
The video was altered to make it appear as though the USDA's Shirley Sherrod - who is black - acknowledged during a speech to the NAACP that she had discriminated against a white farmer. The piece was picked up by Fox News, other news outlets followed Fox's lead, and the resulting uproar cost Sherrod her job.
She was rehired when the changes to the video were revealed. Breitbart has admitted he was attempting to destroy the NAACP. The hoax was uncovered by CNN and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, both of which took the time to watch the full unedited speech.
The whole matter raises at least a couple concerns from a journalism standpoint:
1) The 24/7 news cycle continues to lead to sloppy mistakes as reporters rush to fill time and make sure they're not beaten on stories.
2) The mainstream media continues to cower from the right wing in general and Fox News in particular.