Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Mr. D., August 10, 2000

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. Congress ot tfje Uttiteb States ftouSe ot jRepveSentatfocS 2HaSf)ington, ®C 20515-2002 August 10, 2000 COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Dear Thank you for contacting me regarding CBS Early Show anchor Bryant Gumble’s remarks. Please know, I share your concerns about both his remarks and lack of media coverage. On your behalf, I contacted the CBS Early Show for a response to anchor Bryant Gumble’s derogatory slurs during weather segment. I received the following response from CBS: "During a weather segment on Thursday morning’s EARLY SHOW, a two-second camera shot with virtually no audio of Bryant getting up from his chair accidentally appeared on air. He was making a casual remark of some sort, but it is unclear what the comment was and, in any case, it bears no relevance to the content of THE EARLY SHOW." Generally speaking, I like to think the media works hard to maintain impartiality when reporting the news as well as interviewing guests. When reporters, like Bryant Gumble, cross that line, however, it not only injures the person who was ridiculed, but it also casts a shadow over the entire industry. In this vein, I think it is crucial for media management to act swiftly to condemn this behavior. While CBS hardly defends Gumble in this statement, I am concerned that it certainly does not criticize his actions. Once again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me. Very truly yours, Member of Congress