Abstract

The $120 millwn libel suit brought by General William Westmoreland against CBS has been the focus of considerable press and public attention. It was Westmurelad's claim that the CBS broadcast, "The Uncountd Enemy: A Vietnam Deception, contained intentional distortions of fact. CBS stood firmly behind the broadcast, although conceding journalistic flaws. During the trial the procedures followed when making the documentary were closely scrutinized and the nature of teleuision journalistic practice was called into question. The ethical implications of the Westmoreland v. CBS controversy are discussed in this article.