Couric apologizes for unfair edit in gun-rights documentary

A recent gun violence documentary sparked a national conversation, but not the discussion the filmmakers intended.

Instead, it provoked a heated debate about media ethics after it became known that the film falsely portrayed a group of gun activists sitting in silence for eight seconds, seemingly unable to answer a question.

Under the Gun, a documentary directed by Stephanie Soechtig and narrated by former network anchor Katie Couric, premiered May 15 on the streaming platform Epix. Couric, currently Yahoo’s global anchor, was an executive producer for the film. Epix still lists the film and directs people to Under the Gun’s website to find out where to buy or rent it.

Gun-rights activists challenged Couric and Soechtig over edits they claimed were deceptive, leading to widespread media coverage and criticism. Initially, both stood by the film. Couric eventually issued a statement of regret while Soechtig stood by her “creative decision.”

Couric acknowledged in a talk this morning (at TheWrap’s Power Women Breakfast in New York) that she “didn’t feel comfortable” with the controversial edit in her documentary and “can understand the objection of people who did have an issue about it”—but “we have to focus on the big issue of gun violence.”

The Virginia Civil Defense League (VCDL) accused Couric and Soechtig of “intentional distortion.” VCDL said a silence following Couric’s question about background checks for gun purchases never happened and made them appear stupid.

Armed with an audio recording, VCDL proved it. Conservative and liberal media critics, journalism ethics experts, and gun rights activists all blasted the edit. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik called it “manipulation” and “clearly unfair and unwarranted” treatment.

“The editing was indeed manipulative—and I go further: malpractice,” Columbia University Journalism School professor and media ethics specialist Todd Gitlin told The Guardian. The former ’60s left-wing political activist also criticized Soechtig’s early apology.

"I never intended to make anyone look bad, and I apologize if anyone felt that way," Soechtig said on May 25, according to CNN. Couric released a statement the same day standing by her and the film.

After continued pressure, Couric posted a statement of regret May 30.

“I take responsibility for a decision that misrepresented an exchange,” Couric wrote. “My question to the VCDL regarding the ability of convicted felons and those on the terror watch list to legally obtain a gun was followed by an extended pause, making the participants appear to be speechless.”

She expressed “regret that those eight seconds were misleading and that I did not raise my initial concerns more vigorously.”

Insiders claim the controversy over Couric’s editing scandal caught her current employer off guard. Yahoo senior executives held an emergency meeting after the editing scandal broke, the New York Post’s Page Six reported June 6. No formal investigation followed, according to Page Six.

The Washington Free Beacon reported on June 8 that two people Couric interviewed in another documentary by Soechtig, Fed Up, say they were victims of similar deceptive video editing to make them look bad.

Julia A. Seymour is the assistant managing editor for MRC Business. The MRC is a non-profit watchdog group exposing liberal media bias.