CBS Chief Foreign Correspondent Makes E-Mail Plea For Network To Air Baghdad Story; Network Calls It ‘Too Graphic For Evening News Audience’

After the CBS Evening News decided not to air a piece on a violent, largely unknown battle in Iraq, opting to put it online instead, CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan recently sent this email to friends and colleagues:

From: lara logan
Subject: help

The story below only appeared on our CBS website and was not aired on CBS. It is a story that is largely being ignored, even though this istakingplace verysingle day in central Baghdad, two blocks from where our office is located.

Our crew had to be pulled out because we got a call saying they were about to be killed, and on their way out, a civilian man was shot dead in front of them as they ran.

I would be very grateful if any of you have a chance to watch this story and pass the link on to as many people you know as possible. It should be seen. And people should know about this.

If anyone has time to send a comment to CBS – about the story – not about my request, then that would help highlight that people are interested and this is not too gruesome to air, but rather too important to ignore.

Many, many thanks.

CBS’ response, via B&C:

According to a spokesperson for CBS News, the executive producer made the decision that some of the video was “too graphic for an evening news audience.”

Battle for Haifa Street [CBSNews.com]

The Battle for Haifa Street Continues [CBSNews.com]

Helping Lara Logan [MediaChannel.org]

Why Did CBS Run Lara Logan’s Haifa Report Online Only? [B&C]

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