ABC News held its panel at the Television Critics Association Summer press tour, and ABC News president Ben Sherwood had plenty to talk about. He was pressed about the mistake made by Brian Ross in the aftermath of the shooting in Colorado. Ross tried to tie the shooter to the Colorado Tea Party, but it turns out it was someone else of the same name.
Sherwood said that Ross called the man he falsely implied could be behind the shooting and apologized, according to the New York Times.
“He was not suspended and there was not a formal reprimand, although we had the first conversation like that that he and I have ever had.” Mr. Sherwood was referring to the “stern and serious conversation.”
AdvertisementPressed on whether ABC was apologizing merely because the report was wrong, or also because the information about a Tea Party membership was irrelevant to the examination of the event, Mr. Sherwood first said he would not address that issue because the question was hypothetical. “I’m saying we’re apologizing because it was not true,” he said.
Sherwood also revealed a number of high-profile people who will be filling in for Robin Roberts when she goes on medical leave in late August. Among them: Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Katie Couric, Kelly Ripa and cast members from “The View.”