Usually measured in his comments to the media, Titans coach Jeff Fisher ripped into WTVF-TV Channel 5, Nashville’s CBS station, for their handling of David Givens’ lawsuit.
According to Fisher, the station portrayed some comments the coach made in training camp about Givens as an exclusive that was taped recently. ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky documented Fisher’s anger Wednesday.
“Never in my career have I ever been associated with a more deceitful,
unprofessional report than I witnessed last night,” Fisher said. “The organization is looking into the possibility
that there may be a connection between the reporter and the attorney
and that’s all I can say.”
Yikes.
We’ll let Florio discuss any of the legal ramifications of that allegation, but Fisher clearly has a right to be furious if they twisted or misidentified the timing of his words to fit into their story.
The station broke the news of Givens’ lawsuit on a telecast Tuesday night, when they ran Fisher’s comments.
“I was really taken aback at the lack of professionalism in this type
of reporting,” Fisher said.
“I did an interview at training camp, a
general interview and then the perception was I was questioned very
recently about this. And the last question in this unusual interview
was regarding David Givens. It’s very, very unprofessional. I’m
disappointed for the industry, to be quite honest with you.”
It would have been awkward for the Channel 5 reporter to hear all this, but they didn’t send anyone to the Titans facility Wednesday. It’s unclear if the Titans asked them not to come.
While Givens’ situation and the potential of shaky journalism ethics are serious issues, some players were able to joke about the situation Wednesday.
Several players reportedly said to the media present that they would only be speaking to Channel 5.
UPDATE: The channel apologized on its website Wednesday – sort of. “In our story, head coach Jeff Fisher talked about the team’s
policies on injuries. We neglected to say that interview was done
during training camp. Jeff Fisher had no knowledge of the
pending lawsuit when the interview was conducted. We regret if anyone
was misled by the story.”
While Givens’ situation and the potential of shaky journalism ethics are serious issues, some players were able to joke about the situation Wednesday.
Several players reportedly said to the media present that they would only be speaking to Channel 5.
…… funny, funny, funny … funny stuff.
It’s actually funny that Gregg reported this, since Florio is the expert when it comes to crappy lawsuits AND crappy journalism.
“…but Fisher clearly has a right to be furious if they twisted or misidentified the timing of his words to fit into their story…”
This doesn’t necessarily mean the lawyer was involved since this has become the M.O. of the media anyway. Words are always taken out of context in order to the story more “compelling”, even to the point of making “news” out of absolutely nothing.
Isn’t that what you guys do here daily?
There are no journalists anymore, not since Walter Cronkite died. Now you’re all just hacks and newsprint salesmen.
The TV station is now saying that they agree with Jeff Fisher about his comments.
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=11179526
John Thomase thought this reporting was very unprofessional as well.
Journalists ???
Man those are so 1960.
Get ready for the ESPN hatchet job Titans. Once these life destroyers get the smell of blood in the water the truth will never surface. Just look at the damage they did to the NE Pats. There is no integrity in Bristol, only self promoting hacks. They recently opened a studio in LA proving that the entertainment business has bought the NFL broadcast and will make the game secondary to the juicy story of (name your fovorite ESPN reporter). When the truth gets in the way of a story print the story then never say your sorry. It is a wonder they have not hired Keith Olbergirl to shill for them.
This guy needs to worry about all of these lousy calls in these games a little more.
It should be noted though that Scott Templeton saw the the report and considered it to be Pulitzer Prize winning material.
When it was pointed out to Templeton that you don’t get Pulitzer’s for tv work Templeton was adamant that it was a gray van.
Florio knows about ass Ramming & thats about it!
Barmy, The Wire rules…
Mos Def
what were fisher’s comments in the interview from training camp?
That’s not an apology, LOL. That’s like calling a girl fat then saying sorry, want an ice cream sandwich?