Posted on 07/05/2017 10:03:45 AM PDT by TigerClaws
CNN issued a statement denying that its reporters blackmailed a Reddit user involved in the making of a viral anti-CNN meme after massive social media backlash on Wednesday.
In the statement, the news network pushes back on reports from Donald Trump Jr. and others claiming that it had "blackmailed" a 15-year-old Reddit user, saying in a statement that the user was an adult and that he had apologized before speaking with CNN.
"CNN decided not to publish the name of the Reddit user out of concern for his safety," a CNN spokesman told The Hill. "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."
In the story, CNN's original statement read: "CNN is not publishing "HanA**holeSolo's" name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed his 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."
The statement, particularly the last line, was picked up as evidence of "coercion" by Trump supporters and other journalists, who sharply criticized CNN for considering "doxing" the user.
A spokesman reading a statement from the CNN legal department. LOL.
“I am sure that CNN did not blackmail the dude, at least not in the legal sense of how blackmail is codified”.
If you threatened a Child with releasing his internet history unless he Apologies to you in public, you have committed Blackmail, Extortion, and threats to a child.
CNN lawyers playing lie by omission word games. The implied blackmail was via email.
Probably fake comments from David Brock’s ShareBlue outfit.
This is why the FNN dirtbag has clammed up on this story. He’s caught red handed.
Doesn’t matter what CNN does at this point, the digital gloves are off as far as a multitude of people creating even funnier spoofs. This morning, helicondelta posted the one with the garbage can and also the funniest is the Karate Kid version of a kick-down.
BOOM!
That’s it!
CNN has been caught lying again.
They've (1) Stated that it could be dangerous if they released his name, and (2) said that NOT releasing his name might be contingent on him not embarking in lawful behavior.
That's called "admitting sufficient facts."
Okay. I’ve seen the “switch to Verizon” thing on a few posts. You’re starting to sound like a Verizon employee.....
While I agree ATT stinks, Verizon sucks just as bad.
Liars and btw this guy realty had nothing to do worth Trump using the video (if he did use that one) which was further edited. YeT they made an issue of the guy. He had every right to make that video.
So now they’re changing their story.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.