KCBS Head Disputes Rosenberg Column

Cloaked protectively in his publication’s title of “critic,” Howard Rosenberg enjoys the rare journalistic privilege of being able to plunge his pen into favored targets unrestrained by the usual editorial requirements of objectivity, accuracy and fairness. He isn’t even required to include a response in his articles from those he has chosen to criticize.

The extent to which the Los Angeles Times has entitled Rosenberg can be viewed on Page 1 of the Calendar section of March 10. In his piece, “KCBS Takes ‘Action’ Too Far . . . Once Again,” Rosenberg fumes over a recent Channel 2 newscast that contained 14 seconds of computer-animation depicting the prosecution’s theory of how Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered. Because this animation was specific in its depiction of the prosecution’s belief that an African American male was the assailant, Rosenberg labeled its use as inflammatory and prejudicial and summarily sentences the Channel 2 News Department to “journalistic hell.” Rosenberg goes on to inaccurately describe the use of computer animation as a violation of CBS News policies on re-creations. And, finally, nowhere is Channel 2 given an opportunity to explain or defend itself in response to Rosenberg’s peculiar and pontifical notions on what is and is not legitimate journalism.

The computer-animation used by Channel 2 is one of several animated sequences illustrating the murder and the murder scene that are being used by television stations and networks across the country, a small fact Rosenberg avoids when he singles out KCBS-TV. And the 14-second episode in question was clearly labeled as the prosecution’s theory of the murder and therefore is absolutely journalistically appropriate in the context in which it was used.

If there is any real prejudice appearing here, it belongs to Rosenberg!

WILLIAM APPLEGATE

Vice President, General Manager

KCBS-TV

Los Angeles