Dan Rather claims CBS gave him "insufficient airtime," sues for $70 million

Laurent · September 19th, 2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Rather files $70 million lawsuit against CBS
Newsman says network violated contract by giving him scant airtime

Dan Rather has filed a $70 million lawsuit against his former employer CBS, its corporate parent and three of his former superiors, saying they violated the terms of his employment contract, according to a report on The New York Times’ Web site.

Rather alleges the network gave him insufficient airtime on “60 Minutes” after forcing him to step down as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” in March 2005.

Rather’s career at CBS News ground to an inglorious end 15 months ago over his role in an unsubstantiated report questioning President Bush’s Vietnam-era National Guard service, the newspaper said.

Rather also contends that the network committed fraud by commissioning a “biased” and incomplete investigation of the flawed Guard broadcast and, in the process, “seriously damaged his reputation,” the paper said.

Named as plaintiffs in the suit: CBS and its chief executive, Leslie Moonves, Viacom and its Chief Executive Sumner Redstone and Andrew Heyward, the former president of CBS News, the Times reported.

Rather files $70 million lawsuit against CBS - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com

NicoleWasHere · September 19th, 2007, 04:14 PM

What a pompus ass.

Beeyotch · September 19th, 2007, 05:56 PM

Sounds like they really tried to force him out altogether on both shows.

I don't know that this is sufficient basis for a lawsuit though.

Laxmobster · September 19th, 2007, 10:10 PM

Well as we saw with the Nebraska senator suing God, so you can sue anybody for anything...

I do think this is a bit late in the game and he's trying to drum up some drama... Seems like a bitch move to me though, I would have taken my millions made and retire on some island.