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08/06/2001 Monday evening, 07/30/01, NBC Nightly News spent not quite two minutes reporting on the "Code Red" computer worm, yet managed to overlook some key facts. They neglected to explain what computers might be at risk. Because the worm only infects computers running on the operating system Windows 2000, Windows NT and Internet Information Server version 4.0 or 5.0, many computer users were needlessly alarmed. "Code Red" is no threat to PCs running on Windows 95, 98 or Me, nor is it a problem for servers running on Sun or Oracle software. Monday evening Brian Williams totally avoided any mention of Microsoft. Tuesday evening, he let on that "Code Red" only "targets the servers that connect office computers". Wednesday evening, he said it affected "business computers". Gee, Brian, you're a real fount of information! How about some news we can use? With all the "concern" from the news media that President George W. Bush is more concerned with corporations than regular people, this fish stinks. Both ABC and CBS made mention of the particular Microsoft software that was vulnerable, yet all NBC Nightly News is willing to offer is vague and unhelpful information. Even their own website, www.msnbc.com, ran an article called "Microsoft takes heat for Code Red". Yet not a peep from the anchor's desk. This was one of those occasions where NBC could have enhanced their credibility by giving a "warts and all" report with all the facts. Instead they played spin doctor for their partner, Microsoft. Let's encourage NBC to keep their business partnerships out of their reporting. Here is the contact information: NBC News Owner of NBC: Read more about the Code Red worm: Microsoft takes heat for Code Red, 07/31/2001 When you feel your personal media bias tolerance gauge rising into the red zone, don't throw stuff at the TV screen! Send your suggestion to outrage@fairpress.org! Each week, one hideous example of media bias will be selected for closer examination. Hmmmmmm . . .
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