Unberechenbare Aktionen wie die des russischen Skandal-Popduos "Tatu" bei Late-Night-Talker Jay Leno haben die Sinne der Fernsehmacher geschärft.

Von "Tatu" überrumpelt

Die beiden Sängerinnen trugen in der Show T-Shirts mit dem obszönen russischen Fluch "Chuj wojne" in Kyrillisch, der sich in abgemilderter Form mit "Zum Teufel mit dem Krieg" übersetzen lässt.

In the weeks after September 11, Rather wore a Stars and Stripes pin in his lapel during his evening news show in an apparent display of solidarity with the American cause. However, in an interview with BBC's Newsnight television program, he graphically described the pressures to conform that built up after the attacks.

"It is an obscene comparison - you know I am not sure I like it - but you know there was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tyres around people's necks if they dissented. And in some ways the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tyre of lack of patriotism put around your neck," he said. "Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions."

Rather did not exempt himself from the criticism, and said the problem was self-censorship. "It starts with a feeling of patriotism within oneself. It carries through with a certain knowledge that the country as a whole - and for all the right reasons - felt and continues to feel this surge of patriotism within themselves. And one finds oneself saying: `I know the right question, but you know what? This is not exactly the right time to ask it'."

Such a confession is astonishing, bearing in mind its source. Rather is almost as famous in the US as the president, though he is more secure in his tenure and far better paid.

Rather, 70, has held what used to be regarded as the top job in American journalism for two decades, since he succeeded the revered Walter Cronkite as CBS News anchorman. Traditionally, CBS was the country's No. 1 news channel but has lost its status and ratings after years of budget cutbacks.

The White House was to blame for its failure to provide adequate information about the war, Rather said. "There has never been an American war, small or large, in which access has been so limited as this one.

"Limiting access, limiting information to cover the backsides of those who are in charge of the war, is extremely dangerous and cannot and should not be accepted . . . "