/ 05.02.2011 12:00AM
RTDNA Praises 'Prudent' Coverage of Bin Laden's Death
WASHINGTON: The Radio Television Digital News Association
gave props to members today on the coverage of Osama bin Laden’s death. While
the networks waited for confirmation, the news busted out on social media
sites. The RTDNA said it urged “all news organizations to continue with
responsible and objective reporting on air, online and via social networking.”
“This story is perhaps the biggest we’ve seen since Sept. 11, 2001,” said RTDNA
Chairman Mark Kraham. “Given how sensitive a topic this is for many Americans,
the coverage so far has been outstanding. From what I’ve seen, the networks,
local news stations in New York and many others around the country have done an
excellent job of keeping objectivity, appropriate compassion and keen analysis
in their coverage.”
The RTDNA noted that unconfirmed reports of bin Laden’s death emerged online
around 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday night.
“The cable networks prudently restrained themselves from reporting the news too
early and effectively vetted and confirmed the information before breaking the
news,” the organization said.
“Given the time and the magnitude of this breaking news, I’m sure many
newsrooms were lightly staffed and left scrambling to get people into work,”
Kraham said. “Based on the coverage I’ve seen, it’s clear that many people in
newsrooms across the country made good decisions with respect to how and when
to break this news.”