Below is my column in USA Today on the controversy surrounding CNN’s handling of the creator of the Trump wrestling video. The episode shows the deepening tension between CNN and Trump. CNN has increasingly positioned itself as part of the “resistance” while Trump has used CNN as embodiment of all that is wrong with the media. While Trump has said that CNN has done itself serious damage in the controversy, polls show almost 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance as President. While ratings have been up and more people trust CNN rather than Trump, CNN’s journalistic image has been damaged in the relentless anti-Trump rhetoric from both political and legal contributors. Even under the recent poll, some 43 percent trust Trump more and CNN’s ratings continue to roller coaster. Ironically, CNN needs Trump and Trump needs CNN to continue their respective narratives. However, neither is a promising foundation for either a political or journalistic enterprise. It is a case of mutually assured destruction.
Here is the column:
CNN has reported that it has confirmed the identity of the creator of the controversial video that shows President Trump taking down someone with the CNN logo for a head. Like many, I was highly critical of the president for reposting the video on his Twitter account. That was both irresponsible and unpresidential.
What is curious is that CNN has withheld the creator’s identity while making a thinly veiled threat that it will release his name if he posts anything CNN finds disturbing or offensive. That is an odd role for a news organization. The news media do not usually put citizens on probation for exercising their free speech.
CNN announced that it had identified the Reddit user “HanA**holeSolo” who first shared the video that Trump reposted with the hashtags #FraudNewsCNN and #FNN. CNN said the man also posted images with racist and anti-Semitic imagery. He issued a long apology and removed all of the images.
“I am not the person that the media portrays me to be in real life. I was trolling and posting things to get a reaction from the subs on Reddit and never meant any of the hateful things I said in those posts,” he wrote. He said he was engaging in what he thought was satire or trolling fun on Reddit.
Like the poster, I am a fan of Reddit, which is known for its open forum and varied viewpoints. It is often caustic and funny. At times, it is offensive and disturbing. However, it is a genuine and largely uninhibited forum for free expression.
The Trump video by the Reddit user was a typical satire on contemporary political events. It is not even clear whether it was meant as a celebration or a criticism of Trump. It simply swapped out the face of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Vince McMahon with the CNN gif.
It was the exercise of free speech. It was also news. While posting such a video on Reddit is not surprising or noteworthy, it took on an entirely new character when Trump reposted it. He has waged an intense war against the news media and CNN in particular. That makes the original poster’s identity newsworthy.
CNN, however, stated that it has decided to withhold his name … for now. He is a private citizen, the network said, who apologized, took down the offending posts and said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media. In addition, he said his statement could serve as an example to others not to do the same.
“CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change.”
The last statement is particularly jarring. It sounds like CNN is putting a citizen on a type of media probationary status — threatening to reveal his name if it deems any posting as constituting “ugly behavior.” It puts a news organization in the position of monitoring free speech and deciding whether to ruin someone if he crosses some ill-defined line with CNN. It is the antithesis of what a news organization is supposed to be about.
If the man’s name is news, CNN can choose to publish it or not publish it. In reality, he is news only because his videotape was snatched from obscurity and paraded to the world by the president of the United States. It is the Internet equivalent of being hit by lightning. If the man posts an anti-media comment or gif, will CNN then declare it news and post his name? It is not clear how long this probationary period will run, let alone the standard for distinguishing between free speech and ugly speech.
Nor is there a clear rationale behind a media probationary status. Journalists will often withhold the names of sexual assault victims or minors. However, they don’t threaten to reveal those names if they fall to meet the news organizations’ expectations or standards in future conduct. Indeed, even when juries reject sexual assault claims, CNN continues to protect the names.
In this case, CNN is behaving like a media censor. The president arbitrarily selected this man and his gif. Now CNN appears willing to arbitrarily punish him.
It is the threat of future disclosure that is so concerning and dangerous. News is not supposed to be a weapon to be brandished to induce good conduct by organizations like CNN. Free speech and free press go hand in hand. Indeed, many reporters are protected more under the former right than the latter in legal controversies. Once a news organization becomes the manager of free speech, it becomes a menace to the free press.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University and a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanTurley.
https://twitter.com/williamcraddick/status/882453570175369216/photo/1
“Lord Feverstone Jul 7, 2017 10:38 AM
Ah, I love the smell of 4Chan’s napalming of CNN in the morning.
Smells like victory.
Time Warner stock looks like an ending triangle to me as well. Wonder how much longer until CNN’s journalists are all on the Unemployment line?”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-07-07/will-horrendous-cnn-ratings-advertiser-boycotts-and-4chans-memetic-war-destroy-billi
http://ibankcoin.com/zeropointnow/2017/07/05/cnn-self-immolates-deleted-tweets-airport-shunning-oh-and-they-got-the-wrong-guy/#sthash.dBg4bgW6.JicaF41N.dpbs
The name game:
Shirley!
Shirley, Shirley
Bo, Birley
Banana, Fanna, Foe, Firley
Fee, Fie, Moe, Mirley
Shirley
Lincoln!
Lincoln,Lincoln,
Bo, Bincoln
Banana, Fanna, Foe, Fincoln
Fee, Fie, Moe, Mincoln
Lincoln
Common everybody
I say now lets now play a game
I bet you I can make a rhyme,
out of anybody’s name
the first letter of the name
I treat it like it wasn’t there
but a ‘B’ or an ‘F’ or an ‘M’ will appear
then I say
Bo – add a ‘b’ and then I say the name
banana fanna and foe
and then I say the name again with an ‘f’ very plain
then a fee fie and moe
and then I say the name again with an ‘m’ this time
and there isn’t any name that I can’t rhyme
Anl!
Anl, Anl,
Bo, Banl
Banna, Fanna, Foe, Fanl
Fee, Fie, Moe, Manl
Anl
but if the first two letters are ever the same,
I drop them both then say the name
like bob,
bob drop the ‘b’ bo ob
or fred
fred drop the ‘f’ Foe red
or Mary,
Mary, drop the ‘m’s Moe Ary
That’s the only rule that is contrary
O.K.
now say Bo
Bo!
now tony with a B
Bony!
then Banna Fanna and Foe
Banna Fanna and Foe!
then you say the name again
with an f very plain
Fony!
then a fee fie and a mo
Fee, Fie, Moe!
then you same the name again
with an m this time
Mony!
and there isn’t any name you can’t rhyme
everybody do Tony!
Tony, Tony
Bo, Bony
Banana, Fanna, Foe. Fony
Fee, Fie, Moe, Mony
Tony
pretty good, let’s do Billy,
Billy, Billy
Bo, illy
Banana, Fanna, Foe. Filly
Fee, Fie, Moe, Milly
Billy
very good, let’s do Marsha
Marsha, Marsha
Bo, Barsha
Banana, Fanna, Foe. Farsha
Fee, Fie, Moe, arsha
Marsha
a little trick with Nick
Nick, Nick
Bo, Bick
Banana, Fanna, Foe. Fick
Fee, Fie, Moe, Mick
Nick
The name game
Here’s your quick cheat sheet.
Bo b-
Banana, Fanna, Foe F-
Fee, Fie, Moe, M-
CNN has proven itself the home of “fake news” Example: Poland hand shake!! PLEASE!!
The MSM and CNN specifically have earned their reputation for fake news. President Trump’s problem though is the large percentage of Americans that have earned their own reputation for ignorance. Jonathan Gruber pointed this out. They see only what they want to see and hear only what they want to hear.
My recommendation would be that any member of the White House press pool caught reporting fake news (first offense) would lose access up to and including the privilege of flying with the President. That news outlet would be allowed to replace that individual and restore all access. 2nd offense, the news outlet itself would lose direct access and would only be allowed to receive feeds from the pool.
OMG! That’s a first amendment infringement! News reports should report the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Opinion reporters can write their opinions. The White House Press Pool should be News or Opinion reporters?
How about Chump creating “fake news”–i.e., the fake Time Magazine cover sporting not just his picture, but the phony, flattering headlines? That’s what started the Joe/Mika firestorm. How can you defend this fat clown?
Ms. Rain Man says, “But..but..but Trump!”
Did you eat paint chips as a child? Gosh, tough question. Let me see, a private citizen brags about his accomplishments using a fake Time Magazine cover. Hmmm, what an ego. Not what I would do, but as long as he’s not violating the law, then what more should be done about it other than calling it out. On the other hand, a news outlet publishes slanted news or outright false stories. How can you defend that?
What happened to my comment that CNN is a disgrace ? Censored?
Anyway , talking about disgrace , check this out :
https://www.dawn.com/news/1343822/facebook-vp-nisar-discuss-removal-of-blasphemous-content
From my POV – sometimes comments get stuck in the Word Mess filter. If that happens, just try posting a comment that one of your posts is stuck and you need it fished out. Darren helps monitor the blog and goes fishing to get comments out.
Other than that, Word Mess has automatic filters that limit posts to no more than 2 hyperlinks and no profanity. You can use symbols in place of a few words to get profanity in if you really want to. Other than that, the comments will go through no matter who you criticize or what you say.
I checked in the filters, sorry but I did not find anything.
“What is curious is that CNN has withheld the creator’s identity while making a thinly veiled threat that it will release his name if he posts anything CNN finds disturbing or offensive.”
How ironic. CNN is outraged that Trump fought back against their coverage that he found disturbing or offensive. Meanwhile, CNN blackmailed someone whose video involving CNN…they found disturbing and offensive.
It is simple blackmail for a news organization to threaten to doxx someone who created a satirical video involving them. Their anchors have spent hours of airtime musing about the size of Trump’s hands, toupee, whether he’s good in bed with Melania, making allegations that Melania can’t stand him and plans to leave him, saying that she’s only staying for Barron, etc, etc. But it is absolutely beyond the pale that a private citizens would put a CNN logo over a staged wrestling production in which Trump pretended to hit someone. Are these the same people who championed Trump getting murdered in Shakespeare in the Park’s “Caesar”? You know, all about artistic expression and resistance and fighting the good fight?
Oh, the irony.
And, yes, I agree that Trump should not get sucked into these petty dramas. He’s got bigger fish to fry. He should ensure his responses are effective, if and when he makes them, and that he comes out smelling like a rose while revealing CNN’s bias. Past predicts future, however, so I anticipate regular petty quarrels. And, no, Trump does not need CNN. There are plenty of other news organizations, even those who criticize him fairly.
CNN?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1322873481144223&id=794492093982367
How to have a good laugh & maybe make 20k….
JT and others are now worried about journalistic concerns? Where have they been when “FOX NEWS” has run amuck for the past 25 years? Any so-called news organization can and will make mistakes, but they try not to do it on purpose.
Any so-called news organization can and will make mistakes, but they try not to do it on purpose.
So the options are, they are carefully crafted malicious attacks masquerading as real news or they are they are merely the irresponsible reporting of reporters unqualified to know the difference. Yeah, that’s so much better.
I was talking about “FOX NEWS” doing things on purpose. And you don’t know the difference?
Yeah sure, I don’t know the difference. LOL!
IMO, the Supreme Court should overturn Sullivan! It has been clear for at least a decade that the press/media is uber-powerful and not in need of any extra-protection from libel claims. If they screw up the facts, they should pay! By removing any fear of legal reprisal for fake news, the Supreme Court sentenced the American public to a constant barrage of stupidity from these “news” organizations. The only solution is to hold them accountable. These are multi-billion dollar corporations who are in no way endangered by the threat of litigation. Time to make them grow the f*@k up! This story shows that CNN is not at all inhibited by Supreme Court enforced status as media bully. Until the Sullivan case is overturned, the media will continue to silence those with whom they disagree by threatening exposure to public scorn. It’s long past time to rein them in!
I would have to know which poll on what date and compare it to a wide range of polls before I granted any poll credence. So far the most inaccurate poll we have is something called the Popular Vote Poll. It was used last on Nov 8th. realclearpolitics.com carries whatever is available as one source
The polls, all of them, still continue the largest voting block from last November although this may be changing. I just took part in one for yougov.com that featured a space for (other) though they did not include the third and fourth efforts from Novermber Libertarians or Greens.
Naturally I wrote In Constitutional Republic as my part of choice and listed my position as ‘centrist or ‘center of political discourse asking the pollsters where else would you find the center and The Constitution in Representative Constitutional Republic and one that voted that way with the majority?
Given a second opportunity I added ‘AKA Self Governing Citizen’ .
That set of questions was a marked departure from the usual humdrum and inaccurate Donkeys and Elephants Parade which I find to be Politically Uncorrect initials P. U.
Banksters and other 1% members love this kind of circus where talk of personalities, rather than policies, helps keep the public numb and dumb.
What’s bizarre is that they hired someone from the defunct Gawker Media (and it’s that man who is the Genius behind this imbroglio).
CNN has been serially exposed over the years (Eason Jordan, Candy Crowley) as having a diseased intramural culture. Time Warner / Turner Broadcasting has quite a list of media properties, so they’ve apparently elected to give the CNN staff their head and develop the network as a niche product for obnoxious partisan Democrats.
The current president of CNN is a man whose career in media has been without notable setbacks and perfectly mainstream (incorporating a long stint at NBC). His predecessor was employed at CNN from the age of 24 to the age of 54. This is the MSM, who they really are and what they wish to do when the mask drops.
Nick, you’re right. The Donald has them wrapped around his little finger. He twitches his finger and they jump.
CNN should have it’s WH credentials revoked.
Totally agree , and I would also suggest criminal prosecution for treasonous behavior , being an arm of isis and for hiring deranged “journalists” who have no shame!
From my POV – I agree they need to review their hiring standards, since the current standard is people who fake news and rant on camera.
These libs have very thin skin don’t they!
CNN is kinda of like Radio Moscow back in the 60s. The news show will consist of eight people shouting over one another like they do on some of the morning game shows. The moderator is often not moderating. Nothing is in moderation. CNN will go after Trump for being an Orange Head and he will go after some of them for being “bent”.
There are no good, moderate, neutral news outlets or networks on television except sometimes PBS. FOX lost Megan. Too bad, so sad, your dad.
Better if Trump would shut them off. Morning Joe gets him raging in the morning and CNN riles him up at night. He should watch PBS.It has a calming influence which he desperately needs for his mental health. If he starts tweeting about the blond lady on there then we know there is trouble upstairs.
Actually he is using those two airheads to demonstrate liberal socialism at it’s worst. And they take the bait every time. The advantage of raising the viewership of that particular non-entity is and will be measured in votes gained, rejection of the foreign ideology driven left, at the same time keeping their dunce cap in plain view.
What happened to posts from last night?
I can’t find mine either !
Our President is Troll in Chief and CNN takes the bait every time.
I wish all the commenters would chimne in and tell us if they voted for Trump.