Episode 6 - Henry Lenz Former CBS News Engineer Part 2 Overtime

Episode Summary

In an era defined by the "Digital Mask," your eyes are no longer reliable witnesses to the truth. This week on True Journalism, veteran broadcasters Richard Schreiber and Tom Martin peel back the layers of a world where a server in a basement can tank global markets for less than fifty dollars. We are moving past "funny videos" and into the reality of financial warfare.

As traditional newsrooms are swallowed by conglomerates and local truths are diluted by private equity "vulture funds," we return to the bedrock of 1970s and 80s investigative standards. This episode dismantles the "Deepfake Economy," analyzes why current AI labeling laws are failing to keep pace with the speed of lies, and honors the legacy of the "Murrow Boys" through an exclusive look at the golden age of CBS News.

We don't give you what you want to hear; we give you what you need to know to stay grounded.

Topics Covered

•     The Digital Mask: How $50 in server time creates market-moving synthetic media.
•     "Google Zero": The AI "answer engines" starving traditional publishers of traffic.
•     Financial Warfare: Sophisticated deepfake traps targeting retirement accounts.
•     The 1996 Telecom Act: How corporate mergers turned newsrooms into entertainment cogs.
•     Vulture Fund Impact: Private equity’s role in creating propaganda-filled "news deserts."
•     Verification vs. Viralism: Using traditional discipline to cut through algorithmic outrage.
•     The CBS Legacy: Reflections on the "Murrow Era" standards with icons like Charles Kuralt.
•     AI Labeling Laws: Evaluating the new February 2026 federal mandates for synthetic media.
•     The Journalist’s Tool: Identifying "The Glitch"—finding flaws in the logic of a source.

About the Hosts

Richard Schreiber

Richard Schreiber is a strategic AI consultant, journalist, autism advocate, and fiction writer based in New York City. With a background spanning investigative reporting, technology consulting, and over 25 years in legal technology and procurement, Richard brings a rare combination of real-world experience and analytical depth to every conversation. He is the founder of a growing autism advocacy foundation and the author of multiple books, including Autism Care Revolution. His journalism is guided by one principle: facts first, always.

Tom Martin

Tom Martin is a veteran television news producer with more than 20 years at some of the most respected names in broadcasting. He got his start at the CBS News Washington Bureau in 1982 — where he witnessed history firsthand, including being in the room when Nixon delivered his infamous "I am not a crook" statement. The son of a legendary newspaper editor who helped launch USA Today, Tom grew up believing journalism is a sacred public trust. He carries that belief into every story he tells.

Guest: Henry Lenz

Henry Lenz is a veteran broadcast engineer and producer whose career at CBS spanned over four decades. From mixing the World Tonight to producing award-winning documentaries like the Bach 300th Anniversary special, Henry’s work defined the "Gold Standard" of audio journalism. He is a master of the analog craft and a witness to the evolution of the Fourth Estate.

Our Mission

True Journalism exists because facts still matter. The press is a watchdog — not a lapdog — and the American public deserves reporting that shines a light rather than throws a shadow. This is not a political show. We do not have a party. We have one principle: if it is not a verified fact, we will say so.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

And now it's time for overtime. We continue our conversation with Henry Lenz. I hope you enjoy. Yeah, thank you. It was great. The story about Paley was that news was supposed to spend money and entertainment was supposed to make it. I don't know if that was true or not.

SPEAKER_08 0:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 0:22

Yeah. But that certainly changed with the new regime.

SPEAKER_08 0:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 0:26

I've told Richard that I actually I guess my only connection to the Murrow era was that often produced stories for CDS Sunday morning. There was like 1989 through about 2000. No, I'm sorry, 89 through 94, 95. I did a number of stories with Charles himself. But I did dozens of stories with his trusty on-the-road camera crew, Yesie Blackman and Larry Janet. And at that time, even Larry Jeanette was an older gentleman already. And so he worked on the, I think it was what, the Harvest of Shame documentary with Edward Armor. Wow.

SPEAKER_02 1:03

We did at CBS Radio when there was a features unit before that was decimated 30 years ago. We did these weekend specials about four times a year. There were about a half dozen producers on staff. And there were 30 shows. They were like five minutes each. So they go out every hour to the affiliate, 15 on Saturday, 15 on Sunday. And they had different themes. But I did several of them. One was the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, which is a great 30-part series with music and all kinds of interesting interviews. And of course, the way Charlie told stories. And then the other one, we did a show about America's waterways or harbors or rivers. And we needed a sound to open each show. So Norm rented a tugboat. And I went out with an aggra, a little real-to-reel tape recorder with a microphone. I was like Barbara Streisand, funny girl. It was a little tugboat. Get me those bells, get me those foghords, get me those. Anyway. And I said, okay, I got enough sound. Take me back to the west side. He said, Oh no, we'll go to Perth Amboy to pick up a garbage. And so they dropped me off in Staten Island. And I walked up to the bridge, and the captain, I told the captain who I was. This is the whole thing about this is CBS News. Oh, yeah, we'll do whatever you want. So he so they played the Staten Island Foghorn. And that's the sound we he opened every show with. That's why I liked it. Yeah. And watching, of course, we've talked about this, Tom. Watching Charlie edit a script and chain smoke.

SPEAKER_07 2:44

Just sat there and when they were getting the word processors in, it was a long time ago, but even getting the word processors in. No, not he would have a portable typewriter with a cigarette.

SPEAKER_02 2:53

And I was just in awe watching him create something out of nothing. He was brilliant. And when I retired, I mentioned something to Oscar that I poked to him and I said, I'm retiring and going to California. My wife's had enough for the New York Winters. And he said, Why are you retiring? You're too good to retire. So that was that was cool. And it was a frame photograph in the lobby of the broadcast center of the borough boys. It was there the whole time I was there. When you went past the security desk and you made it right, it was a nice 18 by 20 poster framed on the wall. When I left, I seriously thought about taking it with me. But I was like, I wonder if I could speak this.

SPEAKER_07 3:37

I have to, it's funny again, Richard, just because of my background, keep Richard and I on are all often bringing up something relating to CBS Sunday morning or even the current incarnation. And this past Sunday, they did do a story about the Nathal Parks and how they're eliminating no references to slavery, no references women were not treated. So I have to, I'm not a Barry Weiss fan, let's just put it that way. But it's wow, I'm really glad they did that story. I have to give them uh the evolution.

SPEAKER_02 4:04

Yeah, they haven't gotten around to to close everything down. I'm friends with Bill Whitaker and I've talked to him about that Kamala interview. And it was like it was edited just the way every freaking program on 60 Minutes was ever edited. Yeah. Yeah. It was all the fact that Sherry Redstone wanted to cash in her sale is why they settled. It's just too bad there were not enough people who just go, I'm not going to cooperate and take down that sign not slavely. Fire me. It's like there needs to be, like Ellie was used to say, if you're silent, you're almost as bad as you can see. Right. Silence complexity.

SPEAKER_07 4:44

Like university universities and law firms and broadcast institutions. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_02 4:49

Let me see if I can share this. Oh, here it is. Here's the photograph I wanted to share with you guys. What a montage, huh?

SPEAKER_07 4:57

Oh wow. Look at that. When I was first helping out, just getting started with CBS News in Washington, I worked typing and answering the phone in a little office that had three 60 Minutes producers, and one was a lady by the name of Suzanne Saint Pierre, who was married to Eric Severod. He was Oh really? 20 years senior, whatever. But when the phone would ring and I'd hear that voice when he came into the office one or two times, he was a towering guy.

SPEAKER_02 5:25

But there's a what a voice and certainly reminded me of my childhood watching Tronkite with Eric Separod's commentaries and Eric used to do a Sunday night thing on the radio at the noon hourly. And he'd come in and blow his nose and clear his throat and we're dramatic. But the interesting thing about this picture is that there's no women in it. All of the women correspondents. Marlene Sanders, Judy Mullock.

SPEAKER_07 5:57

Leslie Stahl has had quite a rock.

SPEAKER_02 5:59

Yeah. Leslie was not on the radio that much, but uh there were an awful lot of women who were on the radio. But this was this kind of predated that a little bit. That's one picture. Did you work with any women, Henry? Oh, I worked with Stephanie Sheldon, who was a correspondent. Marlene Sanders did a few broadcasts. And of course, the famous person I worked with was Peggy Newton. All right. Peggy started off as a writer and and radio. And eventually she became Dan Rathers' commentary writer for the radio. And we had a commentary show called Spectrum. So we had left progressive, conservative commentators, and one of them, I forget his name, but he said something to Peggy once, I can connect you with some people in Washington. That's how she got the job writing for Reagan and Bush. And rather offered to match her salary to keep her from leaving. Bill said to her, take the job. It'll make your whole career. And a thousand points of light. And of course, when we were all at CBS, we shared a beach house in Far Island. And when it was my turn to wash the dishes, I turned to Peggy and I said, Read my lips, not tonight. And we've talked about it and laughed about it. That's where the line came from. It came to you gave her the line. I gave her the Lloyd. Read my lips. No new taxes. We didn't keep the new promise. And a couple of years ago we were on the on a Zoom call, and I said, You don't mind that I keep telling that story. She knew lock on it.

SPEAKER_06 7:47

I'm Mike Wallace. I'm Willie Safer. I'm Dan Rather. I'm Harry Reisner. Those stories and more tonight on 60 Minutes. I'm Charles Carol for the next one. I'm Ruth Warden. CBS. This is Charles Collingwood reporting. Good morning. This is Dallas Townsend with the CBS World News Road. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio. This is the world tonight. Good evening. I'm Douglas Edwards. Good morning all.

SPEAKER_03 8:20

Hi, Dan. What do you have? Any actuality? Warning? Okay, we'll take a thought and two cut. The radio far elf? Okay.

SPEAKER_10 8:37

Richard C. Hotlow in Washington. This is a head on a bunch of leave stories of Ben. Industrial productions figures are out. 48 58. I want you to take flash and go to Washington. 68. 580. Stand by not. Yeah, Bob the period player.

SPEAKER_12 8:53

Hey, flash and go. This is the CNN special report.

SPEAKER_09 9:06

Two spots. How about staying on the name of your seven forties? Mr. Fried, is the European Economic Community revalued member currencies this morning? We're wondering what effect it might have here in the United States. We'd like to talk about somebody who can give us some information on the fire.

SPEAKER_11 9:35

Well say once the course Will More on the news is ready to talk today with negotiators speaking afterward of more progress along the road to an agreement. Stocks and money goes after this.

SPEAKER_05 9:56

We're located on 57th Street in New York City. I'm sure many of you are interested in obtaining a career in broadcasting.

SPEAKER_02 10:08

I just walked around and recorded everything and then mixed it all and showed it to a college career day. So it gets it just gave you the sense of what it was like to in your imagination. The studios in the newsroom.

SPEAKER_04 10:40

A pair on the hands.

SPEAKER_12 10:47

Yeah, no dee to do. Hey pod. Command. Your money or your life? Hard quad? I said your money or your life. I'm thinking it all money. Your boy Grasshi, what's the trouble? I think too much, George. Really? What do you think about?

SPEAKER_01 11:07

Oh, I'm away ahead of other people. And look at the hunter of Mary Cowygrande. Everybody said.

SPEAKER_12 11:17

Tell me that. There comes a time in everyone's life when he must learn about certain things. Yes. When he won an old day, and we turn.

SPEAKER_04 11:28

Where is this problem?

SPEAKER_08 11:31

And kiss me crying. And kiss me once again. Good morning, Captain.

SPEAKER_12 11:41

Good morning. Anyone on Hello there. Hey everyone. It is often wells, ladies and gentlemen. Out of character, to assure you that the war of the world from South Very Rudacious comes today's news. Good evening, everybody. This is Lord Thomas. Here underwater. It is victory of sweet dishes, isn't it? And how do you think those lights look in Europe after five years of blackout going on the thing? Rather, pretty good. Pretty good, you said. I'm like Wallace. I'm Morris Safer. I'm Dan Rather. I'm Harry Reisner. No stories and more. Tonight on 60 Minutes. I'm Charles Warden City. Charles Collingwood reporting Bates the Nation. Good morning. This is Dallas Townsend with the CBS World News Records Break. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio News. This is the world tonight. Good evening. I'm Douglas Edwards. Good morning all Win L. Edward Sports World on TV and Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Hello, everybody. This is the old redhead. And we're going to watch Ted Musing speaking from Churchill Downs. A glamorous And that's the way it is. It's for the Grindcard CBS News.

SPEAKER_02 13:05

Interestingly enough, nobody knows this, but the guy who did the sound effects for Mystery Theater, Jerry McCartney, also did them for the Honeymooners. Really?

unknown 13:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:15

Interesting. And he was a fun Irish guy. He used to take me out to a pub in between tapings for lunch. And he'd tell me stories about Gleason. The great one. Yeah. And Tom, I think I might have mentioned this. The other thing I did is when Osgood was doing Sunday morning, I used to mix his Hale and Farewell soundtrack. Oh. He'd narrated from a Chateau in France.

unknown 13:40

Right.

SPEAKER_02 13:40

And we get it on an ISD end line, and I take it in.

SPEAKER_07 13:43

I know. You were envious, like Chateau in the south of France. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 13:47

Yeah. Yeah. Then I was in Studio Six. But there are so many memorable moments. They all rushed together. Mike Wallace used to interview everybody. He'd come down and interview people for radio. And Tommy Toon came in and I put a microphone on his shoe and he said, I'm tap dancing on the radio. Nezler came in and she had no makeup on and she should turn the turn all the lights off. And Mike's first question always was, How much did you make last year? And we interviewed Timothy Leary, who looked a little nuts to me. Tom Wolfe. There was just so many to just be sitting there. On the other side of the glass was watching a skilled interviewer like Mike Wallace as he was. And after Mike would tease someone, he'd wink at me. He was he was a good kibbitzer. My next project is Bill Whitaker's sister passed away. She's in her 80s. And she was a big civil rights person. She was a Paul Barr, Martin Luther King's funeral. And so I told him I want to do her life story. So I just have to he needs time to get pictures and all that stuff together for me, speeches and whatever. Yeah, that's wonderful. Yeah, it's it's always fun. I do my best work at four in the morning. You know what? I'll show you one more picture before we go. Let me see if I can find it. This is the NBC telecast, the end of the show. I mean shit. How much camaraderie was there between the competing networks? Was the raining? Yeah, we all got along. It was no big deal. Somebody needed a mic cable or whatever. The technical people. Here you go. That's right after the Mookie hit the grab bull pass bucket. That's great. That's great. That's a screenshot from the NBC telecast. Look at that. Yeah. And I stumbled across the so anyway. Yeah, because the people were getting ready at the Red Sox had the champagne on ice getting ready to pop the cork. Of course. There's one more. This one. Oh my god, this could I could go on and on, obviously. Me and Mike. Oh wow.

SPEAKER_08 16:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:20

Legend. Wish I need more selfies of people, but one more. Let me see. Picture. This is a letter rather wrote in 1993 than the next paragraph. Wow.

SPEAKER_08 16:38

Cool.

SPEAKER_02 16:38

Wow, that is awesome. Anyway, that one's friend. If you like, I could send you the uh the talk show. It's a 20-minute, 25-minute show. But it's spectacular. Please do.

SPEAKER_08 16:59

I really do. Thank you. Yeah, we love to do it.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

Nice seeing you again, Tom. Pleasure. If you guys ever found yourself in Los Angeles, give me a shout. Maybe you're tempted to do that, Henry. Alrighty.

unknown 17:12

Okay. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 17:13

God bless.

SPEAKER_00 17:14

I neglected to give credit to all the great women correspondents, techs, and writers producers that I worked with at CBS Radio. My apologies to Judy Muller, Marlene Sanders, Stephanie Shelton, Connie Chung, Rita Braver, Leslie Stahl, Martha Teichner, Rita Sands, Jackie Judd, Katie Kurick, Deborah Potter, Cammy McCormick, Linda Fields, Jill Landis, Evelyn Lee, Joanne Malley, Marion Glick, Peggy Noonan, Carol Pauley, Kit Borgman, Jane Delal, Lisa Wolfson, Mary Luteal, Wendy Zentz, Liz Dribbin, Mary Cody, Leslie Tatz, Janina Wynne, Jana Polski, and countless others. And the celebs I mic'd up too, Luciel Ball, Bet Midler, Marion Seldies, Tammy Grimes, Dr. Ruth, Julia Child, Margaret Hamilton, Wizard of Oz, etc., and even Ida Gianetta, too.