Waiting…
It’s 10 pm ET and all three nets are live awaiting word for the death of Saddam Hussein. Milissa Rehberger is anchoring MSNBC’s coverage. Greta Van Susteren is live on FNC. Anderson Cooper is anchoring for CNN. All three are reporting that Al Arabia and Al Hurrah are saying that Hussein has been executed but they can’t confirm yet.
UPDATE: Times for initial reports of Hussein’s execution on the nets…
CNN - 10:06pm (YouTube video)
FNC -10:08pm
MSNBC -10:09pm ET
10:15 - MSNBC is noting a Reuters report that Hussein has been executed.
10:17 - Van Susteren is interviewing one of Hussein’s attorneys.
10:24 - Even though it doesn’t have confirmation yet, CNN is carring a banner in the lower right corner that says “Saddam Executed/Death of a Dictator”
10:26 - FNC’s reporter David MacDougal is saying that the Arab networks are reporting that there was a still camera and a video camera at the time of the as yet unconfirmed execution
10:27 - MSNBC is reporting that Iraqi state television is reporting that Hussein has been executed. I haven’t seen FNC or CNN jump on this yet.
10:29 - On MSNBC Jim Maceda is reporting that there were two other executions as well.
10:30 - MSNBC’s lower third now says Saddam Hussein has been executed. CNN and FNC have not made similar adjustments to their lower thirds yet.
10:32 - CNN’s lower third now says that one of Saddam Hussein’s attorneys says Hussein has been executed. Why is CNN hedging (the same question can be asked of FNC)? MSNBC has already declared it. Is MSNBC’s intel that much better?
10:35 - MSNBC is reporting via NBC News that there’s celebratory gunfire in Baghdad.
10:35 - CNN has a lower third that says Hussein has been executed based on word from a “Senior Military Official”.
10:37 - FNC is now carrying a lower third with the Iraqi TV report that Hussein has been hanged.
CNN had it slightly before 15 after, NBC aired a special report and I saw about the last 30 seconds of it around 7:15
Comment by Chris — December 29, 2006 @ 11:21 pm
ABC is the only broadcast net on live right now with the story.
Comment by Goldfish — December 29, 2006 @ 11:26 pm
Here’s your proof
FNC’s has one also, but it’s only “Saddam Execution”
Comment by Chris — December 29, 2006 @ 11:29 pm
http://img154.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=th_49433_cncorner_122_585lo.jpg
Comment by Chris — December 29, 2006 @ 11:30 pm
CNN was first just minutes after the hour… Sky News confirmed this seconds later.. Also BBC World… Al Jazerra now confirming by Iraq official sources that Hussein is dead.
Comment by Rodrigo — December 29, 2006 @ 11:36 pm
CNN= 10:06pm ET FNC=10:08pm ET MSNBC=10:09pm ET
Comment by Big Dave — December 29, 2006 @ 11:48 pm
I watched CNN break in at 10:06. MSNBC’s coverage was lacking all evening, so I switched to CNN. They have done a great job.
Comment by Goldfish — December 29, 2006 @ 11:50 pm
Yeah, I have same times… Im watching several channels here (Not FNC or MSNBC) and everybody are making a very good job w/ this. Information is arrivin’ at the same time on all screens…
Comment by Rodrigo — December 29, 2006 @ 11:52 pm
I think the media, especially TV, has become too obsessed with getting the story first. The focus should be getting the story right. You guys think it’s so important who posted the story 30 seconds before the other guys.
It’s better to be accurate and make sure your story is solid.
Comment by bigred — December 30, 2006 @ 3:40 am
Why can’t CNN just drop the reruns and give us CNNI every night?
Comment by erljr — December 30, 2006 @ 11:54 pm