In a mind-boggling display of journalistic oversight, CNN made headlines for all the wrong reasons when they posted – and then swiftly deleted – an article that missed the memo on how to cover a terrorist incident with any degree of seriousness. The article inexplicably described the journey of two teenagers from Pennsylvania to New York City as a potential “normal day enjoying the city” before they decided to throw homemade explosives outside the residence of New York City’s Mayor, Zoran Mamani, during an anti-Muslim protest. It seems that somewhere between writing the headline and hitting publish, someone at CNN confused terrorism with tourism.
Naturally, this lackluster reporting received immediate backlash. Critics were left shaking their heads at how CNN managed to frame what could have been a catastrophic incident as if it were a light-hearted travel advisory gone wrong. After being rightly chastised, CNN released a statement acknowledging that their post did not reflect the gravity of the event, essentially admitting that their editorial standards had taken an impromptu vacation of their own.
While one might think that a national news outlet would have the basics of reporting down by now, the comparison drawn by numerous observers to “if CNN had reported on Pearl Harbor” offers a pointed critique. It would be like describing WWII’s catalyst event in a similarly detached, less impactful manner. One has to admit, the idea of CNN someday reporting on historical tragedies with the enthusiasm of a Sunday picnic is both amusing and a little bit terrifying.
To make matters worse, this incident sheds light on a broader trend where some media outlets shy away from addressing the substantial threat posed by Islamic extremism. The fact that the suspects’ extremist motivations and the potential consequences of their actions were glossed over in the initial report raises questions about journalistic priorities and biases. One could almost wonder if some journalists have forgotten that acknowledging such crucial elements of a story does not equate to fear-mongering but rather fulfills their responsibility to inform the public accurately.
Perhaps it’s time for CNN, and media outlets alike, to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Much like the Indiana University football program, which turned things around by revamping its team and strategy, these news giants might need to consider refreshing their editorial lineup and approach to reporting. Until then, viewers can expect to keep seeing more ‘oops’ moments followed by the obligatory apologies. For now, thankfully, the NYPD was on top of their game, preventing disastrous outcomes from something that could have been as severe as the Boston Marathon bombing had those makeshift bombs detonated.
