‘Inventor of fake news,’ fume Dan Rather critics as ousted anchor returns to CBS for 1st time since reporting scandal | 6M7P5L2 | 2024-04-28 19:08:01
'Inventor of fake news,' fume Dan Rather critics as ousted anchor returns to CBS for 1st time since reporting scandal | 6M7P5L2 | 2024-04-28 19:08:01
AS Dan Rather returns to CBS for the first time in nearly 20 years, critics of the disgraced broadcaster have taken to social media to blast his legacy.
Rather, 92, was ousted from the network in 2004 as his career as an anchor and managing editor was rife with controversy.
During a Sunday appearance on CBS This Morning, Rather reflected on his career and legacy.
"The closest you can do about legacy is not think about your work," the once highly celebrated journalist said.
"Think about what you did as a person. Those important questions of, who am I? Why am I here? What can I contribute?
"Those are the important questions, not how well one did or didn't do as anchor or managing editor of the 'CBS Evening News.'"
Rather is most well-known for his involvement in the 2004 Killian documents controversy.
At the time, Rather reported on a series of memos that criticized former President George W. Bush and his record in the Texas Air National Guard.
Bush was seeking reelection at the time and the authenticity of the memos was quickly brought into question.
The memos were claimed to have been written by Bush's former commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Jerry B. Killian.
Their authenticity was questioned when viewers claimed the typeface of the memos was too modern.
Some claimed that the text should have been written with something like a 1970s typewriter, however the text appeared to have been written with Microsoft Word on a computer.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> While CBS originally stood by the reporting, the network pulled the story and blasted its source as misleading.
YOU'RE FIRED
Rather was ultimately fired from the network in 2005, after being there for 44 years.
In Sunday's interview, Rather called the incident "the lowest point" of his career.
"I gave CBS News everything I had," he said.
"They had smarter, better, more talented people, but they didn't have anybody who worked any harder than I did."
</div> </div> As Rather made his return to the network, critics have continued to blast his career as a journalist.
"Dan Rather, the inventor of fake news," one viewer wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
"He should be referred to as 'disgraced anchor'," another said.
"That piece of garbage should've retired 64 years ago," one chimed in.
A fourth posted, "Misinforming the American public for 44 years."
Meanwhile, another said, "wasn't he fired?"
AFTER CBS
After leaving CBS, Rather continued to work as a journalist, primarily doing investigative journalism.
In 2006, he collaborated with businessman Mark Cuban to host and produce a weekly news program called Dan Rather Reports for AXS TV.
The program ran until 2013 when Rather was 81 years old.
<!--googleoff: all--> <blockquote class="article__quote"> </blockquote> <!--googleon: all--> At the time, he told the Associated Press that retirement was nowhere near in sight.
"I love to work," he told the outlet.
"I have my flaws and I've made my mistakes, but I've always loved covering news, and I have a passion for covering news.
"I'd much rather wear out than rust out."
Rather also hosted The Big Interview for AXS TV until 2021.
On Wednesday, Netflix will be releasing a documentary about Rather's life and career, touching on the big stories he covered including former President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the Vietnam War, Watergate, 9/11, and more.
The documentary is called Rather.
Rather reflected on his legacy and career in the Sunday interview[/caption]
Rather, 92, has continued to work as a journalist since leaving CBS[/caption]
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