randomWalks

In Rare Union, Documentary Finds Itself on NBC:

Mr. Wright said in a statement: " `Deadline' is an exceptional, thought-provoking look at one man's struggle with controversial issues surrounding our criminal justice system. It's about life and death and the power of one decision." David Corvo, the executive director of "Dateline NBC," said he and Neal Shapiro, president of NBC News, agreed that "Dateline" was the best place for the documentary. Mr. Corvo said he could not recall a broadcast network purchasing a documentary and presenting it in its entirety, although there have been cases on "Dateline" where portions of documentaries have been used in news stories. Mr. Corvo said his staff saw independent documentary filmmakers not as competitors but as different voices for the program.

"Mr. Wright" is NBC president Bob Wright. I'm such a big fan of Deadline becuase it's the story of an unlikely individual changing his mind after being presented with facts. You'd like to think that all politicians make their mind this way, but of course they don't. It also blows away the myth that politicians are all the same and only act out of self interest - they are people too. This story, luckily, was well documented, and maybe it will inspire others to action.