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AFTER CAPTURE OF CARRUTH, CAN NETWORKS AVOID THE STORY?

          The Panthers waived WR Rae Carruth yesterday, one day
     after he was captured in TN by federal agents who have
     charged him with the murder of his girlfriend.  Panthers
     coach George Seifert: "It's something we wrestled with. 
     We're not trying to demonstrate guilt or innocence or
     anything else."  Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson: "Our
     decision was based on Rae's actions over the last 48 hours
     and is not a statement about the case" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
     12/17).  In Charlotte, Scott Fowler, on the Panthers' move:
     "Good for them. ... Whatever the outcome of Carruth's
     [trial] ... the Panthers already have received the biggest
     black eye in team history" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/17).
          MEDIA COVERAGE: In N.Y., Bob Raissman reports that Fox
     Sports will do a story on Carruth before Saturday's 49ers-
     Panthers game that will "assess the mood of the Charlotte
     community." Raissman calls it a "wise decision," as
     "ignoring this story would give reason to believe that the
     Foxies all suffer from brain lock.  It also would've been
     embarrassing."  Meanwhile, CBS Sports Exec Producer Terry
     Ewert said that a Carruth piece will air on Saturday's "The
     NFL Today," which will "likely be followed by a discussion." 
     Ewert: "We don't and we won't shy away from reporting
     controversial stories pertaining to the NFL."  ESPN Senior
     Coordinating Producer Bob Rauscher said the network will
     also air a Carruth piece during Saturday's pregame show. 
     ESPN's Chris Mortensen will follow up the report "from both
     a league and team perspective.  He will also address legal
     issues in the case" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/17).  CNN will also
     air a Carruth story tomorrow.  Fox NFL analyst Terry
     Bradshaw: "You can't deny it, can't hide it or put it under
     the rug.  We're not doing our job if we don't address (it)." 
     Fox Exec Producer Ed Goren: "The problem with these stories
     is a rush to judgment by some of the media.  There's a
     feeding frenzy.  It's a very delicate issue."  Goren said
     Fox will talk to "some of the people who know (Carruth),
     such as the players," but he doesn't see the need for a
     reporter to travel to Charlotte (USA TODAY, 12/17).  
          BUT WAS IT TOO LATE? In FL, Mike Bianchi criticizes
     ESPN's placement of the Carruth story: "Where's the ...
     national news coverage?  Since when is Golden State's three-
     game winning streak more newsworthy than an NFL player being
     charged with killing his pregnant girlfriend?"  Bianchi: "I
     guess it's not primetime SportsCenter material unless Chris
     Berman can coin a cutesy nickname or Kenny Mayne can fire
     off a witty one-liner."  Bianchi notes ESPN did lead with
     the Carruth story on Wednesday night's "SportsCenter," but
     adds it was "only after a nationwide police search found
     Carruth" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 12/17).
          

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