It seems like CNN is slowly metastasizing from a news network into some mix of the East Berlin Stasi and the fun police. Incident after incident, the Counterfeit News Network is proving that it’s no longer “the most trusted name in news” but rather “the most busted name in news.”
CNN is facing a tidal wave of online backlash after the network was accused of being a bunch of blackmailers. The news outlet published an article on a Redditor (HanAssholeSolo) who made the universal famous anti-CNN, WWE-themed GIF that President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday. The meme creator reportedly apologized by phone and email, and this satisfied CNN.
But this is where the controversy begins: CNN noted that it “reserve[s] the right” to publish the Redditor’s full name in the future if he elicits bad behavior:
CNN is not publishing “HanA**holeSolo’s” name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed remorse by saying he has taken down all his offending posts, and because he said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media again. 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.
CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski has added in tweets that HanAssholeSolo was not coerced or threatened in any way and that he agrees with the CNN statement. Of course, someone would say this if you’re holding a gun to their head.
Many viewed the last part of the statement as the network implying that if HanA**holeSolo reneges on the apology or somehow mocks the news channel again that it would dox the user (publish private or identifying information about someone on the Internet with malicious intent).
Like a cute cat video, this quickly went viral and #CNNBacklash and #CNNBlackmail started trending at the top of Twitter (it was later revealed that the website started to hide the number of tweets for the hashtags). Immediately, hundreds of memes taunting and jeering the Clown News Network were tweeted out, likely irking the staffers in Atlanta.
Here are just some of the Twitter reactions:
https://twitter.com/KevinMBratcher/status/882647669264580608
https://twitter.com/sahouraxo/status/882623769377943552
The Compost News Network tried to extinguish the fire by releasing another statement on the matter:
CNN decided not to publish the name of the Reddit user out of concern for his safety. Any assertion that the network blackmailed or coerced him is false. The user, who is an adult male, not a 15-year-old boy, apologized and deleted his account before ever speaking with our reporter.
This statement did not satisfy the Twittersphere because CNN’s defense doesn’t pass the smell test.
The initial statement confirmed that his personal information would be published if he repeats this kind of conduct again or breaks some sort of deal with the outlet. If CNN was really concerned for his safety then it would have said so from the beginning, not after the fact that the public saw coercion and blackmail over a simple meme.
Even one of the network’s top propagandists, Alisyn Camerota, confirmed on Wednesday morning that the company promised not to reveal his name if he apologized:
Something remarkable I thought happened yesterday, I thought it was remarkable that CNN found the Reddit user who created the gif of Donald Trump and the wrestling video and where he punches CNN, so the investigative team went back and found the guy who first created this he took credit for it, and then here comes the remarkable part, he apologized. He apologized for having done this.
Another top propagandist, Christopher Cuomo, asked on Twitter if CNN should reveal the guy’s name since there was a lot of “bigoted and hateful material” on the website. Should CNN get rid of its own website considering it has pages of fake news?
Although it is terrifying to think that a multi-billion-dollar media corporation is wielding its power to shut down dissent, derision or disparagement, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel: it isn’t sitting well with people of all stripes.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald tweeted:
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/882622305184223234
WikiLeaks’s Julian Assange tweeted:
https://twitter.com/JulianAssange/status/882440859370868737
He also thinks that CNN committed a felony by “violating § 135.60 of the New York criminal code.”
Congressman Scott Taylor (R-VA) tweeted:
https://twitter.com/Scotttaylorva/status/882433106367610880
When you can unite several types of people – alt-right and liberal, independent and Republicans – then you know you’re in trouble.
Let’s be honest: some troll posting questionable memes is not news. CNN only made it news because the wrestling-themed Trump GIF made the network’s reporters, anchors and producers look like fools.
Legendary free market economist Thomas Sowell was right when he said:
If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly.
CNN is gradually wiping away any remnant of credibility it has left. Because the Communist News Network hates President Trump so much it is willing to forego its minuscule legitimacy. And it will hound anonymous meme generators, GIF creators and Twitter satirists to accomplish its mission: annihilate Trump. (See Graham Noble’s article on CNN here.)
Oh, and if CNN’s day couldn’t get any worse, Project Veritas posted another undercover video!
Also check out Liberty Nation's satirist Graham Noble's letter to CNN.
