Eason Jordan genuflects to Fidel Castro (March 10, 1999)

nieman lecture ^ | (March 10, 1999) | Eason Jordan

[dennisw]

Eason Jordan

This annual lecture was established in 1981 at the Nieman Foundation by Morris's family, friends, colleagues and is given annually by a distiguished American overseas correspondent or commentator on foreign affairs.

Here is a slightly edited transcript of the talk given on March 10, 1999, by Eason Jordan and the question-and-answer session that followed his speech.

 

I thank you very much for being here tonight. Let me also thank Fidel Castro. In the earliest days of CNN, when CNN was meant to be seen only in the United States, the enterprising Fidel Castro was pirating and watching CNN in Cuba. Fidel was intrigued by CNN. He wanted to meet the person responsible. So Ted Turner, who at that point had never traveled to a Communist country or knowingly met a Communist, [went to Havana]. It was big deal for Ted and during the discussions Castro suggested that CNN be made available to the entire world. In fact it was that seed, that idea that grew into CNN International, which is now seen in every country and territory on the planet.

Working with Ted Turner is exceptionally challenging and it is exceptionally fun. We all should be so lucky to work with a leader who cares so much about the world. Ted Turner's view is there is no white race. There is no black race. There is no race of any color. His view is there is only one race; the human race.

He feels so strongly about there being just one world and one race he has banned one word at CNN -- the F word: foreign. While Ted Turner and CNN recognize nations, Ted's view is the only true foreigners are people from other planets, at least until Ted Turner meets those people. So Ted Turner does not want the word "foreign" mentioned on CNN and has called on me to enforce a ban by fining guilty CNN staffers $100 per violation.

Early on with this rule we ran into problems. One morning Ted called me. He was in a rage. CNN was in the midst of a live interview with the Russian foreign minister. (This is all true.) Ted was screaming. "Eason, I told you never to allow that word on CNN." I said, "Ted, his title is foreign minister." Ted just couldn't accept that. He was outraged. He huffed and he puffed, and then he yelled. "Damn it. You tell him to change his title." The Russian foreign minister refused to do so.

The Courage of Joe Alex Morris

My guess is Joe Alex Morris would have admired Ted Turner's passion for the world. A passion that Joe very much shared. In doing my homework on Joe, I called on several of his former colleagues, all of whom described Joe in the most glowing of terms.

One of those colleagues, Alvin Schuster, now is Senior Consulting Editor at The Los Angeles Times. And this is what he said: "All the correspondents who worked with Joe described him as the best around at that time. A reporter who would go anywhere and do anything. One who demonstrated time and time again great personal courage. And one who took on the role of a second father to a reporter just beginning out in the world, or to a more experienced correspondent, he just happened to know more about than anybody else."

 (SNIP, there is more)

[AnnAdoringFan]

I saw a report on FNC about this as I was getting ready for work today. I find it... interesting... that they won't release the video of the man making his comments. what is it they're trying to hide, eh???

[Izzy Dunne]

Ted Turner's view is there is no white race. There is no black race. There is no race of any color. His view is there is only one race; the human race.

Don't it make you feel all warm inside?
All together now....

Kum ba yaa, my lord
Kum ba yaa....

[Mears]

Ahaaaah,so it was the Communist Castro who is somewhat responsible for Turner's millions.

Did Turner share with Fidel,I wonder? Oh silly me,Fidel is a Communist and has,nor wants, any money.

[stan the beaver]

Anyone ever seen "The Great Santini"?
"Castro, ya bearded fag, I'd like to chase you down the main street of Havana in my F4!! And DeGaulle! G--, G--, why did you put so many jerks in the world, at the same time?!!?"

Just by the way, Ted Turner was throwing a tantrum on live TV because the Russki foreign minister wouldn't change his title??

[Fresh Wind]

the enterprising Fidel Castro was pirating and watching CNN in Cuba

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.