KATIE COURIC OUTRAGE - Press Release - August 14, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2001

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Wright (703) 683-5004, ext. 132

KATIE COURIC OUTRAGE

TODAY ANCHOR BECOMES ON-AIR ADVOCATE, FUNDRAISER FOR CONFESSED CHILD KILLER ANDREA YATES, BUT NBC DENIES TAKING SIDES

Bozell: “NBC’s Denial Of The Obvious Insults The Intelligence Of Every Life Form On This Planet”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Media Research Center President Brent Bozell blasted NBC Today Anchor Katie Couric today for her on-air advocacy for confessed child killer Andrea Yates.

“Couric’s on-air advocacy for a confessed child killer is just the latest example of her departure from her job description. Journalists are supposed to report the news, not their opinions. To paraphrase the great line from the movie Broadcast News, who cares what Katie Couric thinks,” Bozell said.

After a sympathetic taped interview conducted by NBC’s Jim Cummins of Yates’ mother and brother on yesterday’s program, Couric told viewers where to send their contributions to the confessed child killer’s legal defense fund. NBC put the address on the screen for viewers to see. Couric then told the audience any money left over would be given to women’s charities dealing with postpartum depression and psychosis. NBC spokespeople then tried to claim that neither Couric nor NBC were taking sides in the case, but subsequent airings of the segment on MSNBC did not include Couric’s advocacy or the address for Yates’ defense fund.

“NBC’s denial of the obvious is right on par with Bill Clinton claiming he ‘never had sexual relations with that woman.’ It insults the intelligence of every life form on this planet,” Bozell said.

For more information on the Media Research Center or to schedule an interview with a spokesperson please contact Katie Wright at (703)-683-5004, ext. 132.