(Credit: NBC News, screenshot)

NBC has responded to George Zimmerman’s lawsuit arguing that it “fairly and accurately reported” on him in its stories on his killing Trayvon Martin last year, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

As iMediaEthics reported, Zimmerman filed a defamation lawsuit against NBC in December claiming its reporting portrayed him as a “racist and predatory villain.”  As an example, the suit cited NBC News’ March 2012 broadcast of an edited clip of Zimmerman’s 911 call.  In one edit, NBC News played a clip of Zimmerman saying “This guy looks like he’s up to no good…He looks black.” But, the full transcript of the call showed that Zimmerman’s “he looks black” comment was in response to a 911 dispatcher’s question, which had been edited out of the clip.

NBC’s attorney, Gregg D. Thomas, called for “a temporary hold on the civil suit until Zimmerman’s second-degree murder case is concluded,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.  Thomas is quoted as saying:

“While there is no legitimate basis for Zimmerman’s claims against these defendants, who fairly and accurately reported about a news event that has captivated the nation, now is simply not the time to litigate them.”

The Orlando Sentinel disclosed in its report that NBC’s attorney in this case is its attorney as well, writing: “Thomas and the firm for which he works, Thomas & LoCicero PL, represents the Orlando Sentinel.”

Hat Tip: Media Bistro Morning Newsletter