Vanderbilt Television News Archive

ABC Evening News for 1971-12-30

This program is 27 minutes long

• Introduction Harry Reasoner (New York City); Howard K. Smith (Washington, DC)

  #14045

  05:00:40 pm — 05:01:40 pm

• (Commercial: Post Raisin Bran.)

  #14046

  05:01:40 pm — 05:01:50 pm

• Vietnam War / United States Air Strikes / Casualties

  #14047

  05:01:50 pm — 05:05:20 pm

  (Studio) United States assault on North Vietnam ends after 5 days of bombings. 1,000 missions most in south part of North Vietnam. United States claims 3 planes, 5 men lost; Hanoi claims 19 planes downed.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

  (Danang, South Vietnam) Planes take off on missions. Pilots interviewed. [Lieutenant Colonel John WALL - describes targets.] [1st Lieutenant Sam WHITE - says experience exciting.]
  REPORTER: Bill Zimmerman

  (Studio) Casualties reported.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

• (Commercial: Post Raisin Bran; Maxwell House Coffee.)

  #14048

  05:05:20 pm — 05:06:30 pm

• Ellsberg / Pentagon Papers

  #14049

  05:06:30 pm — 05:09:00 pm

  (Studio) Federal court issues substitute indictment against Dan. Ellsberg; charges more serious. Anthony Russo and former South Vietnam ambassador to United States also charged.
  REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

  (New York) Ellsberg holds news conference [ELLSBERG - denies violation of any criminal statute; denies theft, espionage; says government committed to untruth, violence; Vu Van Thai charges said untrue.]
  REPORTER: David Snell

• (Commercial: Shake'N Bake; Gaines Top Choice Dog Food.)

  #14050

  05:09:00 pm — 05:10:10 pm

• Pakistan / Bangladesh

  #14051

  05:10:10 pm — 05:12:30 pm

  (Studio) India seeks United Nations mediation for release of Bangladesh leader Sheik Mujibur Rahman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto proposes federation of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

  (Rawalpindi, Pakistan) Diplomats differ in views. [BHUTTO - says step necessary.] Bhutto recognizes Mujibur Rahman as Bangladesh head.
  REPORTER: Lou Cioffi

• Bangladesh

  #14052

  05:12:30 pm — 05:14:10 pm

  (Studio) Jute industry put under state control.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

  (Bangladesh) National bankrupt. Jute economy decisive. Mukti Bahini scorched earth policy noted. Mills again begin working; India trade vital.
  REPORTER: Ron Miller

• (Commercial: Allstate Auto. Insurance; General Motors.)

  #14053

  05:14:10 pm — 05:16:20 pm

• Israel / Egypt

  #14054

  05:16:20 pm — 05:16:20 pm

  (Studio) Israeli deputy Prime Min. Yigal Allon asks Egypt to begin peace negotiations with Israel. USSR -Egypt relations noted.
  REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

• Britain / Malta

  #14055

  05:16:50 pm — 05:20:30 pm

  (Studio) Background of Malta noted. Britain and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) disagree with Maltese government on charges for Malta base to remain there. Britain prepares to leave. Malta threatens to bring in USSR fleet. United States 6th fleet now in Mediterranean.
  REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

  (6th Fleet, Mediterranean) Flagship "Josephus Daniels" featured. Rockets launched. "Mod Squad" accentuates youth. Cmdrs. and department hds. 1 rank lower than usual to give young officers a chance. [Commander Paul BUTCHER - welcomes opportunity; describes Mod Squad.] Josephus Daniels' history recalled.
  REPORTER: Roger Peterson

• (Commercial: Femiron; Williams Lectric Shave.)

  #14056

  05:20:30 pm — 05:21:40 pm

• Dowdy Indictment

  #14057

  05:21:40 pm — 05:22:10 pm

  (Studio) Maryland jury finds Texas Representative John Dowdy guilty in bribery, conspiracy trial. Nathan Cohen activities cited.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

• Unemployment

  #14058

  05:22:10 pm — 05:22:20 pm

  (Studio) President Nixon signs unemployment compensation bill.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

• Basketball

  #14059

  05:22:20 pm — 05:25:30 pm

  (Studio) Oral Roberts University featured.
  REPORTER: Howard K. Smith

  (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Old-time religion, space-age promotion boost college. Rev. Oral Roberts profiled. [ROBERTS - says basketball a form of evangelism through sports page.] Roberts leads cheering, prays in locker room. Oral Roberts University defeats Los Angeles State. Roberts still practices faith healing.
  REPORTER: Steve Bell

• (Commercial: Savings and Loan Assns.; Tegrin Cream.)

  #14060

  05:25:30 pm — 05:26:30 pm

• Commentary (Press Freedom)

  #14061

  05:26:30 pm — 05:28:30 pm

  (Studio) Taiwan reporters kicked out of United Nations press group, accommodating China, P.R. Commentator criticizes journalistic profession, Sigma Delta Chi, for not protesting action. Notes passage of year; Happy New Year.
  REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

• Good Night

  #665317

  05:28:30 pm — 05:28:30 pm