On June 22, 2017, CNN revealed a potentially damaging relationship between then Trump adviser Anthony Scaramucci and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, prompting a Senate investigation. However, after the report was discredited, CNN retracted it. The repercussions were considerable, prompting the departure (i.e. resignation) of three journalists engaged in the release.
Critics, including The Intercept, a prominent left-leaning media outlet, pointed to this episode as only one example of a larger pattern. They accused CNN of spreading fake news, casting doubt on the reliability of mainstream media channels. The controversy highlighted the ongoing debate over journalistic integrity and the importance of careful fact-checking in an era where misinformation spreads quickly.
(Image via Kopiersperre, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images)
In February of 2019, AllSides, a media bias rating platform, exposed the media's varying coverage of hate crimes, showing a, to say the least, complex landscape. Law enforcement agency's nationwide reported 7,175 hate crimes to the FBI in 2017, a significant rise from 6,121 instances in 2016. However, this increase was not merely a result of actual incidents, but also of more law enforcement agencies contributing data—1,000 more, to be exact.
Left-leaning outlets, such as CNN, emphasized the rising data to highlight the gravity of the hate crime problem, whilst right-leaning sources decided to explain, or at least try to decipher, the statistics.
This varied reporting technique led to accusations of false news from many sides. Those concerned about the apparent increase in hate crimes saw right-wing publications as downplaying the issue, while those skeptical of the story saw left-wing coverage as potentially sensationalized. The incident demonstrated how media bias influences public perception, particularly on important societal concerns such as hate crimes.
CNN host Chris Cuomo made a critical error of judgment while giving live coverage of the 2016 elections. According to Cuomo, downloading Podesta's leaked emails from the website WikiLeaks was not only illegal, but also limited to members of the media. However, this allegation was found to be incorrect, prompting criticism of the network's accuracy.
The broadcast also fueled broader debates about the media's responsibility and the need for definite information dissemination, particularly during crucial events like elections. In an era where misinformation can spread rapidly, this incident underscored the importance of thorough fact-checking and careful consideration of legal implications in reporting, reinforcing the ongoing scrutiny of mainstream media accuracy.
For over five months, Standing Rock protesters battled the Dakota Access oil pipeline without receiving public attention. The media's focus on the election helped, but a deeper issue arose: a perceived lack of Native American concern. Only after the protest site was abandoned did mainstream media discover a few thousand Native Americans had been physically protesting the pipeline.
The subsequent coverage, by CNN focused on the cleanup of debris left behind after protestors had been forced to evacuate amid major blizzards in December 2016. That's right, there's debris durring and sfter a storm. Wild. Standing Rock had been protesting the $3.8 billion Energy Transfer Partners pipeline, because it could end up polluting their water supply and ruin cultural sites.
Despite the lengthy demonstration by Native and non-Native activists, the delayed media coverage and subsequent inaccurate focus demonstrated structural obstacles in prioritizing and adequately covering Indigenous issues, highlighting the larger struggle for oppressed communities' visibility and recognition of what they are actually up to.
Nikki Haley's 2024 Republican presidential campaign was immediately derailed by scandal and falsehoods in February of 2023, when CNN's Don Lemon claimed she was "past her prime" at 51, saying:
"This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think that, I think it's the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians, or something are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn't in her prime, sorry, a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, and 30s, and maybe 40s."
Lemon's words, according to the public undermined women's professional status and reinforced ageist and misogynistic prejudices. Don Lemon later apologized in an editorial meeting with colleagues. Unfortunately, CNN CEO Chris Licht found Lemon's statements "unacceptable," and Lemon was sacked.
Lemon and co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins discussed Haley's plan for competency tests for candidates above the age of 75 on CNN This Morning. This disagreement compounded the debate on age and gender in politics while also highlighting the difficulties that women experience in public, particularly when seeking for office.
CNN came under fire during the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991) for what was perceived to be a biased and propagandistic representation of US military actions. The network was accused of glorifying the war effort and overemphasizing human interest stories about American soldiers, while purposefully minimizing depictions of violent scenes.
This approach generated allegations of creating a one-sided narrative that favored US troops while downplaying the brutal reality of the conflict. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) reported on an incident in which an unknown CNN reporter described the "sweet beautiful sight" of bombers taking off from Saudi Arabia in a 1991 news story, contributing to the perception of a pro-military stance.
In addition to these allegations, CNN faced criticism for allowing a Lockheed Martin consultant to discuss the war, which was interpreted as a conflict of interest. The presence of a consultant from a major defense contractor raised concerns about the network's neutrality and impartiality, contributing to the larger discussion over the media's role in wartime reporting and its potential impact on public perception.
CNN was chastised in June of 2017 for spreading an incorrect narrative regarding former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before Congress. The story stated that Comey's testimony would undermine President Trump's claim that he was not notified that he was being investigated, but Comey's actual testimony did not support this assumption.
CNN subsequently issued a correction to address the inaccuracies across their platforms. Alas, the network, none the less, attracted scrutiny for broadcasting information that did not align with the factual details of Comey's testimony. Notably, the articles lacked attribution to a single writer, highlighting the collective nature of news reporting within the organization.
On January 10th, of 2017, the network reported on confidential papers that indicated Russia possessed incriminating information on then-President-elect Donald Trump. BuzzFeed later published the unverified Steele Dossier, prompting Trump to describe CNN as "fake news" during a press conference. CNN and other media organizations that publish the documents were barred from attending a White House press briefing in February of 2017, adding to the network's troubles.
In June of that same year, three investigative journalists resigned over a retracted story linking Anthony Scaramucci to a Russian investment business. In December of 2017, CNN was fact-checked on a claim about Trump and WikiLeaks, then corrected it, and shortly there after removed many of their publication covering it. In January three years later, a controversial panel discussion on Don Lemon's show drew uproar for mocking Trump supporters, prompting a response from Trump and a clarification from Lemon. The list goes on, but the main point is that CNN was not a supporter of Trump and made that clear for everyone.
In a recent analysis by Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large, claims of widespread election fraud were scrutinized in his article "Election fraud isn’t really a thing, part infinity". Cillizza initially acknowledges the existence of election fraud, citing instances in Texas and Georgia. However, he later asserts that there is no evidence of widespread election fraud in American elections.
This apparent contradiction raises concerns about the consistency of the analysis. Various studies over the years have found instances of voter fraud, though they may be extremely low. The challenge lies in reconciling Cillizza's acknowledgment of specific cases with his broader assertion about the lack of widespread fraud. This nuanced perspective emphasizes the complexity of the issue, acknowledging both the existence of individual cases and the overall rarity of such occurrences.
In 2017, Vox accused CNN's Jeff Zucker of treating politics like a sport and manipulating debates for drama. Comedian Jon Stewart chastised Zucker's attitude, citing CNN's history of misrepresentation.
Jeff Zucker would eventually resign from CNN in February of 2022, following criticism for failing to disclose a romantic involvement with CNN executive Allison Gollust. Gollust resigned shortly thereafter for violating journalistic standards. No surprise for anyone, I'm sure.
What a history, but what was the straw that broke the camels back?
CNN came under fire for its coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, particularly for misreporting the arrest of a "dark-skinned male" in connection with the attack. Gentle reader, it was a white guy. He was so white in fact, he came from North Caucasus. Despite the disinformation, Jeff Zucker, praised the coverage and stressed the network's accountability. What an absolute fail.
CNN faced controversy in its coverage of the encounter between Nick Sandmann and Native American activist Nathan Phillips in 2019. The network initially portrayed Sandmann as the bad guy, aka the aggressor, but extended footage later challenged this narrative. Sandmann filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN, accusing the network of misrepresenting the incident.
In early 2020, CNN settled the lawsuit with Nick Sandmann for an undisclosed amount, though the public is sure it's in the millions. The incident highlighted concerns about media bias and the rush to judgment in high-profile cases, prompting discussions about responsible journalism practices and the impact of social media on shaping public perception.
CNN pundits and hosts wrongly accused Joe Rogan of taking "horse dewormer" when he announced taking Ivermectin, prescribed by a doctor, among other treatments for COVID-19. Rogan challenged CNN's characterization during a heated interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, forcing him to admit the network's mistake. Rogan criticized CNN's portrayal of Ivermectin as solely for animals, highlighting its multiple uses for human ailments.
According to the American Medical Association, Ivermectin is "an anti-parasitic drug approved in humans for the treatment of certain tropical diseases." Despite FDA warnings against using it for COVID-19, Rogan emphasized its legitimate medical uses for humans. Gupta eventually acknowledged CNN's misleading coverage. CNN defended its stance, accusing Rogan of spreading dangerous conspiracy theories. While Ivermectin should never be used to prevent COVID-19 (because that won't work), it is a drug prescribed to humans in appropriate doses.
CNN faced criticism for misinterpreting a Gallup poll on COVID-19 opinions, suggesting that 68% of Americans “needed” a vaccine to return to “normal” life. According to international relations professor Nicholas Grossman, “The data doesn’t match CNN’s headline or tweet, which is all many people will see in the age of social media." The actual study said Americans thought a vaccine was “very important,” not “needed.”
Also, the Gallup poll refers to opinions on returning to “normal activities” instead of “normal life.” CNN network later corrected the error, clarifying that “the headline on this post was updated to clarify that the survey found 68% of Americans say an available vaccine is very important before returning to normal life.”
On November 30, 2021, broadcaster Chris Cuomo faced an indefinite suspension from CNN following revelations from the New York Attorney General's office that revealed Cuomo's involvement in assisting his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to address (and ignore) harassment allegations.
While CNN didn't explicitly lie about the situation (they handled it swiftly), Chris Cuomo definitely underplayed his role in his brother's misconduct, lying to the CNN audience. In fact, according to the Washington Post, he encouraged his brother not to resign from office during numerous strategy calls, and claimed it was merely "cancel culture."
CNN faced backlash for publishing an article that was seen by many as a "hit piece" against Bernie Sanders, suggesting he made rude remarks to Elizabeth Warren. The article, released just before a debate, claimed Sanders privately told Warren that a woman couldn't win the presidency. Critics accused CNN of trying to portray Sanders as a misogynist to undermine him before the debate.
They also criticized the article for relying on anonymous sources, which raised doubts about its credibility. During the debate itself, the article became a major topic of discussion among the candidates, with questions raised about its accuracy and the motivations behind its publication. The incident highlighted concerns about media bias and using anonymous sources in political reporting.
In 2014, CNN faced criticism for its notably limited live coverage of widespread protests that erupted in Iran following the 2014 elections. Many viewers and media watchdogs expressed disappointment and concern over the network's seemingly subdued reporting on such a significant global event. The absence of comprehensive live coverage sparked questions about CNN's editorial priorities and whether they deliberately failed to mention it.
Some observers speculated about potential factors influencing the network's decision-making process, including logistical challenges, safety concerns, or editorial considerations. However, the incident underscored the importance of robust and impartial news coverage, particularly when public protests and political developments could have far-reaching consequences.
In 1998, CNN and sister publication Time magazine jointly reported that the U.S. military used sarin gas against enemy soldiers during the Vietnam War's Operation Tailwind in 1970. The Pentagon denied the allegation. Critics found it unlikely that such a significant event could have occurred unnoticed during a time of widespread anti-war sentiment.
Following a two-week investigation, CNN retracted the story. The producers involved were promptly terminated. One producer criticized CNN, claiming the network caved to pressure from high-ranking officials to suppress the story. This incident raised questions about journalistic integrity and the influence of external pressures on media reporting during sensitive matters of public interest.
CNN's coverage of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014 was criticized for its extensive and speculative nature, leading to the spread of misinformation. Despite limited verifiable information, the network relied heavily on expert analysis and theories, often accompanied by visually dramatic presentations. This included Martin Savidge in a flight simulator and Tom Foreman walking across an animated map. Anchors, like Don Lemon, even used toy models of the plane during interviews.
Social media commentators and critics accused CNN of sensationalizing the story and relying on commentators known for conspiracy theories rather than substantive analysis. Tom Rosenstiel from the American Press Institute noted that while the mystery of MH370 was compelling, the coverage sometimes ventured into fantastical territory, highlighting a broader issue with cable news architecture struggling to fill airtime.
CNN's coverage of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, like many other news outlets, was inaccurate information. A 2003 poll showed 70% of Americans believed Saddam Hussein was involved in the 9/11 attacks, with Fox News viewers more likely to hold such beliefs than PBS viewers. CNN founder Ted Turner accused Rupert Murdoch of using Fox News to advocate for an invasion.
Critics argued this reflected misleading U.S. media coverage compared to other countries. A post-2008 election poll from FactCheck.org found 48% of Americans still believed Saddam was involved in 9/11. Numerous critics believe that spreading misinformation like this could destabilize and boost terrorism.
CNN correspondent Amber Lyon was suppressed and fired from the network after producing a documentary on the progress of democracy in the Middle East. However, this film was aired only on the U.S. CNN channels and was excluded from CNN International. Lyon alleged that during a meeting with CNN International's president, Tony Maddox, she was told to keep quiet on the matter because, according to a former employee, Bahrain regime officials complained about Lyon's involvement.
Lyon was subsequently fired. This incident highlights the potential pressures journalists and news organizations face when reporting on sensitive topics, particularly those involving authoritarian regimes. Lyon's experience raises questions about media independence and the influence of external actors on news coverage in regions like the Middle East.
In February 2005, Eason Jordan resigned from his position at CNN amidst controversy. Bloggers had claimed that, during the World Economic Forum, Jordan appeared to suggest that the U.S. military deliberately targeted journalists. Although Jordan admitted his statements were ambiguous, he asserted that he has "great admiration and respect for the men and women of the U.S. armed forces" and that he never intended to imply such accusations.
His resignation underscored the sensitivity and scrutiny surrounding comments made by media figures, especially regarding military actions and journalism ethics. The incident highlighted the power of social media and online discourse in shaping public perception and holding organizations accountable for their statements that could spread misinformation, especially regarding war crimes.
Amidst the 2015 Baltimore riots, CNN Newsroom anchor Brooke Baldwin insinuated that veterans-turned-police officers contributed to the turmoil, remarking that they "are coming back from war, they don't know the communities, and they're ready to do battle.” Initially, Baldwin defended her comments, passing the buck to a city official.
Baldwin's remarks ignited controversy and prompted discussions about the intersection of military experience and law enforcement, as well as the responsibilities of media figures in shaping public discourse during times of social unrest. However, she later apologized on Twitter and during her on-air broadcast, acknowledging the insensitivity of her remarks.
CNN host Lou Dobbs perpetuated the debunked conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Despite CNN acknowledging the "birther" issue as a discredited rumor, Dobbs persistently promoted it, prompting criticism from The Washington Post's TV critic. The issue initially arose during the 2008 presidential campaign but largely faded from media attention until Dobbs revived it.
His advocacy for these conspiracy theories drew accusations of racism and defamation from the Southern Poverty Law Center. The controversy led to Media Matters airing ads criticizing Dobbs and CNN while Jon Stewart mocked Dobbs on Comedy Central's The Daily Show. The New York Times described Dobbs as a "publicity nightmare" for CNN, causing embarrassment for the network and raising questions about its commitment to impartial reporting.
On May 7, 2013, CNN broke its coverage of the Jodi Arias trial to report on the release of three kidnapped women from Cleveland, Ohio. Correspondent Ashleigh Banfield interviewed HLN host Nancy Grace, seemingly from different remote locations. However, viewers quickly noticed discrepancies in the background, revealing both reporters were actually in the same parking lot in Phoenix, Arizona.
The illusion of separate locations was shattered by the presence of the same cars passing behind both anchors. It became evident that Grace and Banfield were merely pretending to be in different places when they were just 30 feet apart. This incident sparked criticism of CNN for fabricating a sense of urgency and drama in their reporting, undermining the credibility of their coverage.
In July 2021, CNN revealed plans to serve as the official broadcaster for Expo 2020 Dubai, set to commence in October of the same year. As part of this arrangement, CNN launched a "Dubai Now" vertical to report on the city's developments. However, this partnership sparked allegations of propaganda and bias.
Human rights organization Freedom Forward raised concerns about CNN's agreement with the United Arab Emirates, urging transparency regarding their relationship's financial and contractual aspects. Critics questioned whether CNN's coverage of Expo 2020 would be influenced by its partnership with the UAE, potentially compromising journalistic integrity.
CNN came under scrutiny for misrepresenting the source behind a story regarding Michael Cohen's testimony about a controversial Trump Tower meeting. CNN initially claimed that Lanny Davis, Cohen's lawyer, was not the source of the story, despite later admitting otherwise. Furthermore, the substance of the story, suggesting that Cohen would testify Trump knew about the meeting in advance, was also disputed.
Davis first claimed to be the source of the CNN story, which stated, "Trump’s former personal attorney was claiming his then-boss knew in advance of the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between campaign officials and a Russian operative." Davis retracted his statements four days later. He stated that his client "knew no such thing" and insisted he wasn’t a source for the CNN report. So what's the truth?
CNN initially downplayed the significance of Hunter Biden's laptop and emails, claims which were later reported on by reputable sources like the Washington Post and the New York Times. Recorded editorial meetings that were released by Project Veritas revealed CNN's deliberate avoidance of the story in their reporting, often labeling it as "Russian disinformation" or axing the story altogether.
Rep. Adam Schiff's appearance on "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" saw CNN dismissing the New York Post's reporting on Hunter Biden's business dealings as a "false narrative" propagated by the Kremlin. While over 120,000 emails did originate from Hunter Biden, quite a few of the copies circulated by Republicans "could have been tampered with," according to CBS News, and in the end there were no clear signs of corruption from Joe Biden.
