Eason's Fables: Demand Congressional Hearings Now
Captain Ed
We are now finding out that the source for the promised videotape of the Davos forum where Eason Jordan alleged that the US military targeted journalists for assassination may never be released. Sisyphus, who originally got WEF official Mark Adams to promise its release, now says that it may be against the rules for that particular forum:
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He warned me that the session WAS under "Chatham House Rule". This means that after finding the tape, he needs to get a policy decision about making it publicly available, as that would violate the Rule.
I have arranged to speak with him again 5:00AM EST tomorrow to check if the tape has been unpacked and if there has been a policy decision.
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Rebecca MacKinnon has more to say about the rules at Davos:
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On and Off the Record’ Policy for AM 2005
All plenary sessions are fully ‘on’ the record.
All sessions that are broadcast or webcast are ‘on the record’ (for 2005 that means all sessions in the Congress Hall or Sanada 1 and 2)
Every other session is only ‘on the record’ in terms of content. That is to say what was said can be reported – but it must not be attributed to any individual. However, should the journalist get the agreement of any participant to be quoted that is of course acceptable.
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She also got a message from Adams that a transcript would definitely not be forthcoming. How convenient ... for CNN and Eason Jordan. (Rebecca herself felt that the meeting was on the record, for her part.)
It looks like Eason Jordan and CNN might escape the scandal -- if it's left at that. However, with Barney Frank going on the record with his recollections, we now have another avenue to explore -- Congressional hearings. After all, Eason Jordan has accused the US military of atrocities on two separate occasions in the past three months, one of which occurred with two US lawmakers in attendance. If true, Congress must investigate to determine where those orders originated and who put them into practice.
Jordan needs to come forward to testify as to what information he has. Now, Jordan could claim some kind of reportorial privilege -- but since CNN never reported the stories, sustaining such a claim seems unlikely. Jordan would have to admit he had no evidence for his allegations on a national stage -- and CNN would have to explain his continued employment. Most importantly, such hearings would get tremendous coverage.
Please inform your Senators and representatives of Rep. Barney Frank's comments about Eason Jordan and Davos, and ask when Congress plans on investigating Jordan's allegations of atrocities and murder.
Posted by Captain Ed
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