http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/07/12/rather-hdnet-news.html
Rather boasts about 'total, absolute' control over cable news show Last Updated Wed, 12 Jul 2006 12:32:15 EDT CBC Arts In a situation he called "unprecedented" over his storied career, former CBS anchor Dan Rather will have "total, absolute" control over his new weekly news show on HDNet this fall. "The chain of command begins and ends with me," veteran news journalist Dan Rather said of his upcoming cable news show. (Associated Press) The longtime journalist and retired CBS anchor spoke about his new hour-long program Tuesday evening at a meeting of the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, Calif. Dan Rather Reports is set to debut in October on HDNet, a high definition cable channel founded by billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who also owns the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team. "I have total, absolute creative and editorial control on this program," Rather said. "The chain of command begins and ends with me." The weekly news program will include feature reports, interviews and investigations. Rather proclaimed his "very strong bias towards independent journalism" and said the show would emphasize "accuracy, fairness and guts." At its best, news "is a wake-up call, not a lullaby. And I'm not in the lullaby business," he added. Rather signed a three-year contract to host and produce Dan Rather Reports, over which he will have creative and editorial control. His salary was not disclosed. The 74-year-old Rather retired from CBS in late June after complaining he was being squeezed out of the network, with most of his proposals for assignments rejected. His contract was originally set to expire in November. Last year, Rather stepped down as anchor of the network's evening newscast after controversy erupted over a 60 Minutes report that raised questions about U.S. President George W. Bush's military service record. At the time, Rather fought criticism from conservative critics that he possesses a liberal bias in his reporting. Though he was eventually cleared during an independent investigation into the disputed 60 Minutes story, four other CBS employees were ousted after the inquiry. Cuban said he was not fazed by any controversy over hiring Rather. "I'm not concerned with it at all because the work will speak for itself. When Dan goes out there and does his thing, I have complete confidence in Dan and Dan's work," he said. Rather also revealed Tuesday that he is interested in other opportunities in addition to his show on HDNet, which is seen on some cable and satellite services in the U.S. America Online is reportedly discussing a future role for Rather within its internet news service and the veteran journalist has appeared as a guest, panelist and interview subject on various U.S. networks. Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
