NBC Apologizes for Editing of Zimmerman Call

Truncated version left out key gap with police dispatcher
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 3, 2012 9:03 PM CDT
NBC Apologizes for Editing of Zimmerman Call
This recent but undated photo taken from the Orlando Sentinel's website shows George Zimmerman.   (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel)

NBC has issued a mea culpa for how it edited a phone call between George Zimmerman and a police dispatcher before the killing of Trayvon Martin, reports the Washington Post. In the bit that aired, Zimmerman says this:

  • "This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black."
The full version fills in the gaps between those sentences and shows that Zimmerman offered that Trayvon was black only after being asked:
  • Zimmerman: "This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about."
  • Dispatcher: "OK, and this guy—is he black, white or Hispanic?"
  • Zimmerman: "He looks black."

NBC's statement, obtained by the Post's Erik Wemple: "During our investigation it became evident that there was an error made in the production process that we deeply regret. We will be taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future and apologize to our viewers." (More NBC stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X