Congress Holds Hearings on NPR's Anthrax Smear

NPR head apologizes for linking anthrax attack to Traditional Values Coalition
A January 22 broadcast of National Public Radio's Morning Edition suggested the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) might be under investigation for sending anthrax-laced mail to U.S. Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy. Yesterday, it was National Public Radio that found itself under federal scrutiny as the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce held hearings on the broadcast.

"Perhaps public broadcasting does not understand why Americans associated with the Traditional Values Coalition and strongly associated with their Christian faith would be offended," said the committee chairman, Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.).

"We have made mistakes at NPR," said Kevin Klose, the network's president and CEO. "One mistake was … our report about TVC . …You have my personal and professional apology. I'm sorry about our mistake, and I hope we can move forward from here."

TVC executive director Andrea Lafferty says NPR's apology isn't enough. "NPR continues to employ the 'blame the rape victim' tactic," she told the committee. "Traditional Values Coalition is the victim here, but they are doing whatever they can to make it seem like we are the perpetrators, not NPR. I personally have suffered, as has Traditional Values Coalition."

Video of the hearing is available, but it's nearly four hours long. A transcript will be available within two or three months.

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