Episode 164 The Garrison Investigation Part 14 The NBC Whitepaper Published May 10, 2023
Episode 164 is the fourteenth in a new series of episodes that chronicle the story of the Garrison investigation in New Orleans and the related trial of Clay Shaw. Today’s episode features the audio from the NBC Whitepaper on the Garrison Investigation, which aired on June 19th, 1967. It was a major blow to Garrison and his team. On the surface, this prime time television special was an attempt by NBC to address the controversial aspects of the Garrison investigation, which had already resulted in the arrest of Clay Shaw on March 1st, 1967. Shaw was subsequently indicted, after a preliminary hearing and a grand jury proceeding, under the charge of conspiracy to murder President Kennedy. One of the principal forces behind the NBC White Paper was Walter Sheridan and his ultimate objective was to discredit the investigation overall. NBC attacked the rather flimsy evidence that Garrison’s team presented in a preliminary hearing…evidence used to justify arresting Clay Shaw. NBC also addressed what appeared to be dubious methods applied by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office to obtain testimony from key witnesses. Finally they would attempt to refute that Clay Shaw was Clay Bertrand resulting in an embarrassing faux pas by the network that backfired. Many of the so called witnesses featured in the NBC White Paper were subsequently summoned to testify in front of the Orleans Parish Grand Jury and repeat their statements under oath. Playing hardball, Garrison used this tool to test whether the statements made on the NBC TV special were truthful. Several of the witnesses appearing on the NBC program refused to answer such questions before the grand jury, citing their right to avoid self incrimination. While the White Paper shed some light on many controversial aspects of the investigation, there was a clear bias contained in the programming. Outraged, Jim Garrison appealed to the FCC and, under the “then existing fairness doctrine”, he was granted 30 minutes of prime time on NBC to rebut the case. Garrison’s rebuttal is featured in episode 165.
Hi Jeff
I very much enjoy your podcast and in a matter of weeks have made it to episode 112. In this episode you ask for feedback and suggestions. One subject I have not heard you talk about so far is that of JACK RUBY. Surely he is central to the entire conspiracy question. Maybe there will be more to come in the episodes I have not listened to yet, but I was just wondering if you are planning to do an in-depth search on all things JACK RUBY over a number of episodes?
Many thanks
Love your work
Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks so much for reaching out and providing feedback. It is much appreciated. The answer to your question is that we have NOT YET covered Ruby…but you can be assured that he will be covered. There is a ways to go…I am finishing up the Garrison investigation series at the moment, and once those episodes are completed, we have several important places to go…and Ruby is one of them….please do keep listening and please do stay in touch!
Thanks
Jeff
I am back on episodes 72, having started only a few weeks ago. You present some great material covered from “both sides”. It is too bad comments are closed and that there is little discussion. I read Lifton back in 80s but my copy of the book in long gone. I found the records of Admiral Osborne and receipts. It is remarkable to me that there has not been more discussion of this topic.
Thanks for putting this together.
Bill Henry
I am back on episode 72, having started only a few weeks ago. You present some great material covered from “both sides”. It is too bad comments are closed and that there is little discussion. I read Lifton back in 80s but my copy of the book in long gone. I found the records of Admiral Osborne and receipts. It is remarkable to me that there has not been more discussion of this topic.
Thanks for putting this together.
Bill Henry
Hi Bill,
Thanks for commenting. I will speak with my niece and see if we can get that feature reset…so that you can comment on earlier episodes.
Jeff