The September 11th attack
'Most Wanted' terrorist special awash in tips

By Bill Keveney
USA Today

A special "America's Most Wanted" that targeted terrorists, broadcast at the request of the White House and FBI, yielded hundreds more fugitive tips than usual.

"America's Most Wanted: Terrorists — A Special Edition," which aired Oct. 12, concentrated on a list of 22 "Most Wanted Terrorists" issued two weeks ago by President Bush. As of last Sunday morning, the program's hotline — (800) CRIME-TV — had received 1,300 tips, well above the 200 to 500 calls it receives after a typical episode.

"We got so many tips. I was watching them pile up," says John Walsh, who recently played host to "AMW" from ground zero, the site of the World Trade Center attack.

One call came from a cabdriver who says he believes he drove Mohamed Atta, one of the Sept. 11 hijackers, to various Washington, D.C., landmarks before the attacks.

"A lot of (tip information) is after the fact of where guys were. But investigators piece that together and it establishes a trail," says Walsh, who referred to terrorists variously as cowards, dogs and psychos during the program.

When Walsh first heard of the government request for the special show, he thought somebody was kidding. After Fox executives Peter Chernin and Sandy Grushow agreed to do the show, Walsh and the program's staff had only two days to try to highlight nearly two dozen targets, including Osama bin Laden and other lesser-known individuals suspected of terrorist attacks on American targets. The U.S. State Department is offering millions of dollars for information leading to the capture of those on the list.

Despite little promotional opportunity, the special drew 7.6 million viewers, the second-largest audience in its time period.

Although many of the suspected terrorists may not be in the United States, Walsh says that should not be a problem.