Getting Waterboarded

Getting Waterboarded
Summary: 'One of the difficulties in covering the War on Terror is that some of the activities are secret. This secrecy poses a special challenge when an activity becomes a matter of national controversy'as in the Congressional debate over coercive interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, allegedly employed by the CIA.

'The public hears various arguments for and against the government's right to employ coercive interrogation, but has no clear picture of the practice itself.

'In 'Getting Waterboarded,' Current's Kaj Larsen finds a unique and vivid way around that dilemma'he hires an ex-Army Special Forces instructor, and has himself waterboarded while the cameras roll. Interspersed with interviews with legal experts and ex-interrogators, the piece shows viewers exactly what this controversial practice looks like'using the full power of television to bring you into a scene.

'From the pubic reaction, the piece proved to be an important piece of information in the public debate. After 'Getting Waterboarded' began airing in Current's 30 million cable and satellite households in September 2006, it was quickly picked up by websites, such as Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, as the only depiction of coercive interrogation available for public scrutiny.

'We believe this news report merits Peabody consideration because it gives viewers a look at a controversial interrogation method that was previously only talked about, thereby providing viewers with another dimension to the debate.'--2006 Peabody Awards entry form.

Corporate Producers: Current TV (Television network)

Broadcast Date: September 21, 2006