L.A. Law1986

[Back here in is the Los Angeles Courthouse in Los Angeles. The testimony continues crossing the examination is Eric Simms, Station Manager of KINX News]

Ms. Wodjack:
Mr. Simms, As Station Manager of KINX News, have you set a policy governing the way that your reporters cover the news?

Eric Simms:
Yes. We tell our people to get as close as possible to the event without breaking the law of course.

Ms. Wodjack:
Did Mr. Reeve conform to station policy when covering the self-immolation of Mr. Collins?

Eric Simms:
Yes.

Ms. Wodjack:
Assisting to suicide is against the law, isn't it?

Eric Simms:
Gordon didn't assist a suicide. He didn't pour the gasoline, he didn't offer a match. He was there to record an event.

Ms. Wodjack:
How do you respond to the plaintiff's charge that the very act of videotaping encouraged Mr. Collins to kill himself?

Eric Simms:
We've been hit with these charges before. During the riots, we were accused of ferment in the looting simply because we showed pictures of people looting, but that doesn't change the fact that what was happening. It was news.

Ms. Wodjack:
What you could be selective and what stories you pursue.

Eric Simms:
Editorial decision shouldn't be made by courts. Start telling us what we can and can't cover, and that's the slippery slope to tyranny.

Ms. Wodjack:
Thank you. Your witness.

Melina Paros:
Thank you. Mr. Simms, are you aware that Mr. Collins notified two other news groups of his planned suicide only the elected not to cover it citing ethical considerations?

Eric Simms:
When we made that tape available, every station in this city aired it, including the networks and the cable news programs.

Melina Paros:
Last year, didn't you speak to a group of UCLA journalism students exhorting them to strive for journalistic integrity?

Eric Simms:
I did. And that's the same thing I try to impress upon my employees.

Melina Paros:
Last November, did you air footage of, uh, the game warden being eaten by an alligator, the sky diver was parachute didn't open, a home video of a grandmother as she was being gunned down by a drive-by shooting?

Eric Simms:
Yes.

Melina Paros:
And as your October 31st staff meeting, did you exhort your employees to seek out such sensational stories?

Eric Simms:
We're a small station, Ms. Paros, fighting for our share the audience. Yes, I went after those stories because that's what people want to watch. And that's why we beat our competition during that sweeps period.

Melina Paros:
Was Mr. Reeve at this October 31st meeting?

Eric Simms:
Yes.

Melina Paros:
And what date did Mr. Reeve photographed the Malaysian of Mr. Collins?

Eric Simms:
I believe it was November 5th.

Melina Paros:
Thank you. Nothing further.