TELEVISION - Aug. 20, 1991

CNN Mea Culpa: Cable News Network has apologized to Newsweek for airing a report about serial killers that was partially lifted from the magazine’s Aug. 5 issue. The cable news network said it was guilty of “using editorial material without credit . . . a number of sentences that were lifted verbatim” on its Aug. 11 “The Week in Review” program. CNN President Tom Johnson sent Newsweek editor Maynard Parker an apology and issued a stern memorandum to CNN staff, stating “We simply will not tolerate such conduct.” Disciplinary action was taken at CNN, but details were not disclosed. Parker said he thought “it was a very classy and quick apology. These sorts of incidents happen from time to time. The matter is closed as far as I’m concerned.”