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"60 Minutes" and the Benghazi scandal trap New York November…
"60 Minutes" and the Benghazi scandal trap
New York
November 2013
Ethical Issues that were raised by the article
Fabricated story from Dylan Davies
Lara Logan defending Davies stories
60 minutes removing the episode instead of issuing a corrected statement.
My reactions to the issues raised
How could a big name news show like 60 minutes not fact check Davies story before putting their reputation on the line publishing the story?
Why was 60 minutes allowed to just pull the segment from existence?
Why wasn't there in pressure from the network heads to issue a corrected report or a more in-depth explanation?
Why wasn't Lara Logan put under heavier scrutiny about defending a proven false story?
What is your opinion about the issue, and what caused you to form that opinion?
Sometimes the truth isn't always the most exciting story to tell. I feel 60 minutes knew that Davies story was fabricated and still decided to publish it because of the attention it would produce. In the article they even state that a parody was created from the story by another show.
I feel pulling the episode was the safer play than an admission of bad reporting . The networks probably have these previsions set in place for situations like this. The public will hold on to the memory of faulty reporting from a big name network longer than the facts of this actual story.
Only justification I can come up with why Logan still defended Davies story would be to save face and protect her reputation.
Play devils advocate, what opposing views could be expressed?
Dylan Davies story was assumed to be true given his military background.
60 minutes removed the segment not because of the false statements but because some privacy lines were crossed stating Davies real name instead of the given show name Morgan Jones that was used to concealed his identity.
Lara Logan indeed believed Davies story to be true.
How could using a balance in research and reporting tactics have made a difference in the outcome of what was reported
Having a fact checker, editor, or private investigators conduct some extensive research before airing the show would have caused 60 minutes to question the authenticity of Davies story.
60 minutes publishing an addition to the episode presenting the factual data that was gather along with a statement apologizing to their audience would have possibly regained some credibility points form viewers.
Logan not mentioning her stance on the story after it was found to be false would have been a better reputation play for her. By choosing a side she opened herself up to judgment.