CNN news program “Reliable Sources” taped for the first time at GW Friday in front of a full-capacity live audience that left 90 people on standby, Director of Media Relations Tracy Schario said.

The show is hosted by Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz who discusses the job of journalism and how the media influences the news. “Reliable Sources,” which airs Sunday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m., is set to film once every four weeks on campus.

News items discussed on the show included the media coverage of U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), the war in Iraq, the Pentagon and the White House’s involvement with the media.

Kurtz said one of the reasons why the Foley scandal is so popular is that “journalists love unanswered questions.”

Steve Roberts, a J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro professor of Media and Public Affairs at GW, was a guest on the show and participated in the Foley discussion.

“There is no evidence of a liberal media conspiracy on making the story break closer to the (mid-term) elections,” Roberts said.

Guest via satellite and CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson talked about reporting and coverage of the war in Iraq.

“It is the job of journalists to dig deep into the issues and make the stories interesting on a daily basis despite, the dangers,” Robertson said.

Other guests for this week’s taping included Sirius news radio host Bill Press, CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre, UPI Pentagon Correspondent Pam Hess, CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, Chicago Tribune National Correspondent Jill Zuckman and National Review Columnist David Frum.

GW is in the fifth of a six-year agreement with CNN that requires CNN to tape in the Jack Morton Auditorium.

“It is a fabulous partnership because there is such a phenomenal interest among students,” Schario said.

Since 2002, CNN shows “Crossfire” and “On the Story” have taped at GW. “Crossfire” filmed five days a week in the studio, and “On the Story” filmed once a week. More than 120,000 people have been audience members for CNN shows at GW and last Friday’s taping was the 779th CNN show taped at GW.