US media made mistakes: Dan Rather
timesofindia.com
NEW YORK: Veteran CBS news anchor Dan Rather has said the US media should have done more to explain the threats facing the US leading to the terrorist attacks on September 11.
"I think all of us could have done better reporting on international affairs," Rather said, when asked if the US media had failed to explain to its citizens that many people in the world hated Americans.
"I think they could have done better about reporting, certainly more... On the warnings that were given by any number of people in and around our own government going back as far as the late 1980s," he said.
"I do not exempt myself in this criticism, nor do I exempt CBS news," said Rather, who also serves as managing editor of CBS Evening News.
Rather, one of the most recognisable faces in American television journalism, spoke to newspersons after one of his assistants contracted skin anthrax.
He said the media acknowledged past mistakes after the September 11 attacks. "We are now aware of some of our shortcomings and I think we will now do better in reporting these areas," he said.
Rather, 69, has worked for CBS since the early 1950s, working in high-profile positions, including White House correspondent and presenter of the flagship 60 Minutes programme, as well as his current position, anchoring the network's weekday evening national news. He has won five Emmy awards.
( AFP )
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