An email has emerged that challenges CNN's journalistic integrity and institutional neutrality and calls all of it's Cuba coverage into question.
First reported by The Natural Truth blogger Michael Graham, Babalu Blog's Henry Gomez said he “independently confirmed” the email which issued marching orders directing the proper “[g]uidance” on reporting Fidel Castro's resignation. Gomez said he posted the full document, which was sent Tuesday morning by Allison Flexner, whose current position is unknown but at one point was a CNN producer of Cuban reports.
The email recommended against using wording that implies Castro didn't write his letter of resignation and to rely on reporting by Communist Party daily Granma. It then reminded “Fidel did bring social reforms to Cuba” and “'[w]hile despised by some, he is seen as a revolutionary hero...for standing up to the United States.”
Here is the email posted by Babalu (bold mine after email's heading):
From: Flexner, Allison
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:46 AM
To: *CNN Superdesk (TBS)
Cc: Neill, Morgan; Darlington, Shasta
Subject: Castro guidanceSome points on Castro – for adding to our anchor reads/reporting:
* Please say in our reporting that Castro stepped down in a letter he wrote to Granma (the communist party daily), as opposed to in a letter attributed to Fidel Castro. We have no reason to doubt he wrote his resignation letter, he has penned numerous articles over the past year and a half.
* Please note Fidel did bring social reforms to Cuba – namely free education and universal health care, and racial integration. in addition to being criticized for oppressing human rights and freedom of speech.* Also the Cuban government blames a lot of Cuba’s economic problems on the US embargo, and while that has caused some difficulties, (far less so than the collapse of the Soviet Union) the bulk of Cuba’s economic problems are due to Cuba’s failed economic polices. Some analysts would say the US embargo was a benefit to Castro politically – something to blame problems on, by what the Cubans call “the imperialist,” meddling in their affairs.
* While despised by some, he is seen as a revolutionary hero, especially with leftist in Latin America, for standing up to the United States.
Any questions, please call the international desk.Allison
I can only imagine the firestorm of controversy if someone at Fox News issued an email like this about George Bush leaving office in 2009.
The desire for the media to bend over backwards to report leftists and leftist causes with balance is nothing new, but this is the first time that it looks like someone got caught.
The real test is what CNN and the rest of the media do now that this story is public.
A totalitarian government can control who is allowed to report within its borders as well as control media access. NewsBusters has reported the media bowing to pressure from the Cuban government before.
When media need government permission to cover a country, their reporting is compromised. If this email is real, and CNN scripted its coverage of Castro leaving office, it begs the question, who penned that script in the first place?
Lynn contributes to NewsBusters and can be reached at tvisgoodforyou2—a t—y a h o o—d o t--c o m














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Lucia Newman
February 20, 2008 - 06:45 ET by P.J. GladnickThe spirit of Lucia Newman lives on at CNN. Great work on this story. It won't surprise me if El Rushbo talks about this later today.
Lucia
February 20, 2008 - 09:35 ET by allanfWe should point out that this Castro synchophant who reported for CNN for many years from Havana now works for Al Jezerra.
Did CNN Instruct Reporters to Sanitize Coverage of Fidel Castro?
February 20, 2008 - 07:37 ET by richflanjOther questions which are as equally difficult to answer:
"Is the sky blue?"
"Is the Pope Catholic?"
"Do bears ==== in the woods?"
"Is it a routine practice of the MSM to "sanitize" every story dealing with a left wing dictator?"
I'm amazed...
February 20, 2008 - 07:39 ET by TheCableGuy...that they even had to send the e-mail out. It must mean that CNN is worried that not all of their reporters are left-leaning, communist-thug-supporting liberal hacks.
CNN?
February 20, 2008 - 08:18 ET by ThisnThatWho knew that CNN had any integrity to lose?
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
CNN
February 20, 2008 - 08:33 ET by masslibertarianBefore the Clintons showed up on the scene and the "Clinton News Network" went in the tank for them, I referred to CNN as the "Communist News Network."
This email and the impending demise of Ms. Inevitable would seem to indicate that it might be time to dust off the old terminology. We'll need it for their Putin coverage pretty soon anyway.
iraq
February 20, 2008 - 09:37 ET by mom_roxMy first thought when reading this was Eason Jordan (former CNN executive) admitting to slanting the coverage on Saddam Hussein's crime against humanity in order to retain access.
Are journalism schools teaching an Appeasement course?
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
Viva Fidel-- US targets only So-Called Terrorist
February 20, 2008 - 09:42 ET by allanfApparently CNN refers to US Military Targets as "so called terrorists", but they have "no reason to doubt" the veracity of Castro's letter.
This by Kyra Phillips on September 13th 2004:
A despicable organization
February 20, 2008 - 11:01 ET by pocomocoDid CNN Instruct Reporters to Sanitize Coverage of Fidel Castro?
Is the Pope Catholic?
CNN has a thing for despots. It was established long ago that they ‘sanitized’ their coverage of Saddam Hussein so that they could retain access to him.
They are doing the same, now, for Hugo Chavez.
CNN is a despicable organization that regularly shows contempt for its own country, which is a reflection of its founder Ted Turner and his ex-wife Hanoi Jane Fonda.
Great Job
February 20, 2008 - 11:04 ET by NoMoreClintonsKudos to Lynn Davidson for this great investigative reporting - which is what makes Newsbusters stand out.
Thanks for the compliment,
February 20, 2008 - 11:17 ET by Lynn DavidsonThanks for the compliment, but as I blogged, I merely reported what two other bloggers (at Babalu Blog and The Natural Truth) uncovered.
Castro - CNN email - what's missing is telling..
February 20, 2008 - 13:30 ET by Gary HallCastro - CNN email - It's what's missing is telling..
Even wearing the CNN liberal hat, one would have it to make points such as:
That email was the "Ted Turner all things communist are better" email.
Las t night ABC ran a
February 20, 2008 - 16:57 ET by rbosqueLas t night ABC ran a picture of El Jefe next to a running series of US presidents, as if saying that he beat them all. Castro still has people locked up in jail since he took over Cuba. Where are the stories about that?