MSNBC criticized for editing of gun hearing video

The Associated Press, Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 5:13pm (PST)

NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC wants viewers to draw their own conclusions about whether a parent of a Newtown school shooting victim was heckled at a legislative hearing, but isn't addressing questions about whether it aired deceptive video of the event.

The network has received criticism, particularly from conservative media watchdogs, about how it aired video of Neil Heslin testifying at a Connecticut hearing Monday. Heslin's 6-year-old son Jesse was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

At the hearing, Heslin asked whether anyone in the room could explain why they needed to have an assault-style or military weapon. MSNBC's tape aired Monday depicted an audience member shouting about Second Amendment rights — while editing out Heslin's challenge.

MSNBC aired the portion of the hearing in full on Wednesday.