We recently told you about some questionable reporting by ABC News blogger Justin Rood that left more questions unearthed than it answered. The story in this instance involved some mysterious YouTube videos by a user named abrad2345, which take some below-the-belt swipes at Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, John McCain and Al Gore. At the time Rood filed his report, he didn’t know who created the videos, and he said as much in the report.

Now, more concrete details are surfacing. One blogger has done the kind of investigative reporting you might have expected Rood to conduct, determining that the creator(s) of the videos likely live in the Los Angeles area.

As we’ve asked before regarding the “DC Madam” case, why is ABC rushing out stories, rather than doing the research necessary to deliver real public good with real answers? Do we need to call Hustler’s Larry Flynt to get the full story again?

Some in the media business are willing to speculate on ABC’s latest missteps. Read more…

................................................................................................................................................................................................
comments (5) | digg this | reddit | facebook | del.icio.us | stumble | permalink

UPDATE: Layoffs are coming at ABC News, as we originally reported may be Rood’s motivation for pursuing this project.

Original report, June 13, 1:34 p.m.:

Big Head DC hears that Justin Rood, a producer with ABC News who was heavily involved in reporting and researching the station’s much-hyped 20/20 interview with alleged “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey last month, is planning to write a tell-all book about dealings surrounding her now-defunct Washington escort service.

A source inside the station says that Rood and others there, including lead reporter Brian Ross, were “not at all pleased” with the final edited product that initially aired and feel that there’s much more of the story to be told. Some insiders believe that Rood obtained more information about possible DC power players who used Palfrey’s escort service than the Disney-owned ABC station was willing to air.

When asked by sources close to the situation whether he is indeed planning a book, Rood has apparently “played it coy.” Some have speculated that he’s playing his cards close to his hand as he decides whether to leave the station to pursue the project. Cutbacks in the ABC investigative unit are rumored and Rood was once of the most recent hires there.   

If the rumors prove to be true, Palfrey tells BHDC that she would be “thrilled.” In fact, she’s written to Rood, saying that he should “go for it.” Says she: “He is in such a position to run with it.”

................................................................................................................................................................................................
comments (3) | digg this | reddit | facebook | del.icio.us | stumble | permalink