PASADENA, Calif. – CBS News executives yesterday agressively defended their evening news show’s deafening silence on the Chandra Levy story, and attacked journalists who have given nonstop coverage to the missing intern.
The “CBS Evening News” had boycotted the story until last Wednesday, while almost all other TV news shows have pushed hard on it.
“I’m amazed that the criticism is reserved for the program that’s done the least . . . It would seem to me the harsh light of criticism should be directed at the other end of tabloid access, as opposed to exercising restraint,” CBS News President Andrew Heyward said.
Don Hewitt, the creator of “60 Minutes,” said he was taken aback by criticism against “CBS Evening News” for blowing off the story for as long it did.
“I’m fascinated by your fascination with [“Evening News” anchorman] Dan Rather’s lack of fascination for Chandra Levy and Gary Condit,” Hewitt said.
“I think Dan took that road for the right reasons.”