Networks break into schedules for Stewart verdict

ABC, CBS and NBC all broke into regular programming as soon as it became known that the jury had returned a guilty verdict in the Martha Stewart case.

In a media frenzy, reporters some networks dashed out of the courthouse waving red-coloured scarves and placards indicating a guilty verdict.

However, a single green placard - a colour presumably identifying a not guility verdict - was held up, and was apparently enough to lead cable networks CNBC and MSNBC to get the initial reports wrong. Both said that Stewart had been found not guilty, and then had to broadcast corrections. A spokesman for MSNBC said that "there was a small bit of confusion and we corrected it immediately."

CNN had quite an elaborate system going. According to the AP, four separate staff producers were assigned to listen to the verdicts for each count against Stewart. These four then ran outside and telephoned another producer, who in turn related the information into reporter Mary Snow's earpiece.