Three network execs and producer Mary Mapes lost their jobs after an independent report concluded that a bogus "60 Minutes Wednesday" story on President Bush's National Guard failed to apply basic journalistic principles of accuracy. The report from a panel led by former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and ex-Associated Press President Louis Boccardi said they couldn't ascertain whether the documents CBS used for the story were forged, but said the network and anchor Dan Rather should not have rushed to air given serious questions about authenticity.

"The combination of a new 60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network’s news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles."

Although many politically biased critics and websites claim CBS had an anti-Bush agenda, the report says, "the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 Minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." CBSNews.com has a story and video, here's a PDF file of the entire report, plus stories at Fox News and Editor & Publisher, and reaction at CBS-watchers RatherBiased.com and Fox-watchers News Hounds.