ABC, NBC, CBS EVENING NEWS SHOWS IGNORE NEW FACTS IN BERGER’S THEFT OF NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 22, 2006

CONTACT: TIM SCHEIDERER OR COLLEEN O’BOYLE AT 703.683.5004

Alexandria, VA --- It is now known, as the Associated Press reported Wednesday, that former Clinton National Security Adviser Samuel ‘Sandy’ Berger did not just steal classified documents about terrorist threats to the U.S. prior to his testimony before the 9/11 commission. He also hid those documents under a construction trailer, retrieved them later, cut several of them into small pieces and put them in the trash.

Yet the Thursday evening news shows at ABC, NBC, and CBS did not even mention these new revelations, and instead focused on topics such as the weather in Denver, the recovery of a race horse, and how much exercise it takes to work off a gingerbread cookie. In response to the network evening news’ blackout on Berger, MRC President Brent Bozell issued the following statement:

“The Berger case concerns terrorism threats against America in 1999-2000 and his review of classified papers on Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. The new facts completely contradict Berger’s claims that he simply mishandled the documents and confirm that he repeatedly lied about his crimes to the American people. But the nightly news shows at ABC, NBC, and CBS did not run one story on this.

“These are the same networks that have run countless stories on who leaked Valerie Plame’s CIA identity, on the alleged torture of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, on Dick Cheney’s connections with Halliburton and, in the past, countless coverage of Oliver North and his actions concerning national security. If Condoleezza Rice, Bush’s former national security adviser, had done something like Berger did, it would have been on the nightly news networks for weeks, if not months – and Rice would likely be in jail for the felony, not a slap on the wrist like Berger got.

“The liberal media are participating in a cover-up. They aren’t asking the tough questions. Why did Berger steal the papers? Why hide them? Did he steal other documents? How do we know? Sandy Berger says he wants to move on, and the liberal media are letting him.”

Full Rundown of Lack of Berger Coverage

To schedule an interview with MRC President Bozell or an MRC spokesperson, please contact Tim Scheiderer (x. 126) or Colleen O’Boyle (x. 122) at 703.683.5004.