Why Russert Didn't Want to Testify in Plame Case

[Emit]

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp...

Not like we didn't suspect this already...

Why Russert Didn't Want to Testify in Plame Case

By E&P Staff

Published: January 10, 2006 9:55 AM ET

NEW YORK Lawyers for NBC News reporter Tim Russert suspected in the spring of 2004 that his testimony could hurt I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and Russert resisted testifying at the time about private conversations with Libby, according to court papers released Monday, The Washington Post reports today.

"Russert was aware that a special prosecutor probing the leak of a CIA operative's name knew of his summer 2003 telephone conversation with Libby, and that Libby had released him from any promise of confidentiality," the Post's Carol D. Leonnig writes. But Russert and his attorneys "argued in previously sealed court filings in June 2004 that he should not have to tell a grand jury about that conversation, because it would harm Russert's relationship with other sources.

"Russert ultimately testified under oath about the conversation after a federal judge ordered him to do so in July 2004. The information Russert provided became important evidence that Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald used to indict Libby in October on five felony counts of lying to the FBI and a grand jury, and of obstruction of justice."

[tularetom]

1. Is there any professional society

for reporters/commentators? If there is and if they're worth a shit they need to censure this big head bulgy eyed ho and do so publicly and repeatedly. All russert cared about was that he might get left off the list of invitees to cheney or rummys xmas party if they found out he ratted out "Scooter". He doesn't give a crap about his "fellow" journalists and his actions reflect poorly on the entire profession. They have a credibility problem as it is - they need to make a public spectacle of a high profile colleague to regain some respect.

[Clark2008]

8. The Society of Professional Journalists.

However, they don't have "censure" power since journalists aren't - and shouldn't be - licensed.

But, they could raise a public stink about it.

(I don't think you should license a profession that relies on creativity, as well as skill, even though, in this day and age, few nationally-known journalists are creative or skillful, but I'm sure you know what I mean)

[tularetom]

10. I understand they arent a "profession" per se

but their society, simply by virtue of being journalists, could make certain that a rebuke of pumpkin head russert was drummed into the public consciousness. I agree that journalists should not be licensed like lawyers, engineers or doctors, even though as you point out today's "journalists" may as well join the Stenographer's Guild.

[northzax]

16. like every other journalist Fitzgerald supoenaed

Russert fought the supoena. Every single one, that we know of. And when he lost the first round, he testified anyway.

[acmavm]

2. Screw the country, screw the laws, huh Timmy? Especially when it

comes to protecting your own fat ass and self-interests. I guess that's what you think should matter the most.

[PerceptionManagement]

3. Russert simply didn't want to loose access

Simple as that. And America Looses.

[rodeodance]

4. yes, it seems reporters need to establish a 'relationship'--getting in

good with the person------to get info. it ultimately censors what is said (on both sides0.

[havocmom]

9. Gads, he might not be invited to cocktail parties!

He might not be given the info the junta wants put on the air! Oh, the tradegy... he might have to start doing...::gulp:: investigative journalism

[babylonsister]

5. What's really irksome is how much Pumpkinhead was lauded

for his integrity when he finally fessed up.

[Trevelyan]

6. I read that at the Nurenburg trials, journalists were tried for war crimes

I read on Smirking Chimp that none were hung but I believe some served jail time.

[Emit]

7. Now that's interesting....I didn't know that. n/t

[A Simple Game]

11. I didn't know that either.

But what is more important, do the journalist of today know that!

[Ikonoklast]

14. Hans Fritszche

Journalist that started out in newspaper. Recruited by Goebbels. Ended up as head of Nazi propaganda arm, "German Press Division", in charge of all print media in Nazi Germany.
Was aquitted by the Nuremburg tribunal, and immediately was arrested, tried, and convicted in German courts. Served nine years.

Odd fact resonating: He hosted a weekly political radio program early on. That got him noticed.

[Emit]

17. someone should send this to Russert. n/t

[0007]

12. Big Corporations protecting their investments with lackeys they

own. Russert is corporate owned and can't do nothing but take orders. Only the ignorant believe Tim Russert is a non-partisan journalist.

Tim Russert is a flunky, an inferior, another junior! A big fat ass lackey.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

13. Instead of the Emmy's, there should be a tv Hall of Shame.

He would be my first nominee.

[Emit]

15. Now there's an idea! n/t