Dan Rather files lawsuit against CBS
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather has filed a US$70 million lawsuit against CBS, three former co-workers and the "corporate parent" of CBS. Rather resigned after a scandal in 2004 involving faked government documents about United States President George W. Bush's service to the U.S. National Guard.
CEO of CBS Leslie Moonves and Viacom are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
According to reports, Rather is suing CBS because after they made him resign his position, they did not grant him sufficient time on-air while he hosted 60 Minutes. In regards to the fake document scandal, Rather also claims that CBS "committed fraud [and tried to] pacify the White House" when they "commissioned a biased and incomplete investigation" which "seriously damaged" his reputation as a journalist.
According to reports, Rather states that if successful in receiving a judgment in his favor, he will donate nearly all of the money to "causes that will further journalistic independence."
Sources
- Jacques Steinberg. "Rather Files $70 Million Lawsuit Against CBS" — New York Times, September 19, 2007
- "Dan Would Rather Sue CBS -- For $70M!" — TMZ.com, September 19, 2007
- Russ Britt. "Rather sues CBS, Viacom for $70 million: report" — MarketWatch, September 19, 2007