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CNN messing up the Russian spy story shows why I mostly trust the media.
CNN claimed CIA extracted the spy because it feared Trump would reveal his identity (accidentally or otherwise). That's wrong, it's a serious error, and CNN deserves the criticism coming it's way.
But...
1/x
CNN claimed CIA extracted the spy because it feared Trump would reveal his identity (accidentally or otherwise). That's wrong, it's a serious error, and CNN deserves the criticism coming it's way.
But...
1/x
We know CNN got the Russian spy story wrong because other outlets, including NY Times, quickly corrected the error.
Media orgs are businesses. One might screw up, but others have a big incentive to pounce on competitors' mistakes.
CNN got this wrong. The media got it right.
2/x
Media orgs are businesses. One might screw up, but others have a big incentive to pounce on competitors' mistakes.
CNN got this wrong. The media got it right.
2/x
A lesson for the media: take a breath before running "scoops" that make Trump look bad.
Another recent example of a discrediting mistake was Lawrence O'Donnell claiming Russians co-signed loans Trump took out. That looked wrong immediately.
But, again, other media pounced.
3/x
Another recent example of a discrediting mistake was Lawrence O'Donnell claiming Russians co-signed loans Trump took out. That looked wrong immediately.
But, again, other media pounced.
3/x
And Trumpists might want to take a breath before crowing about CNN's mistake.
CIA extracted him because of heightened scrutiny of Russian electoral interference from media, public, everyone.
US intel accused Putin of directing 2016 op. That couldn't help but tip off Kremlin.
4/x
CIA extracted him because of heightened scrutiny of Russian electoral interference from media, public, everyone.
US intel accused Putin of directing 2016 op. That couldn't help but tip off Kremlin.
4/x
So yes, Trump gave Russia's foreign minister highly sensitive Israeli intel about an asset in ISIS without Israeli permission (Russia partners with Israel's rival Iran), and he did it for no good reason.
But that wasn't why CIA pulled the spy from Russia.
5/x
But that wasn't why CIA pulled the spy from Russia.
5/x
Yes, Trump, his family, and his campaign had a bunch of shady dealings with Russia which they lied about, egregiously, over and over.
And yes, the Russian gov conducted an extensive intel op against the US, breaking a bunch of US laws, in an effort to get Trump elected
But...
6/x
And yes, the Russian gov conducted an extensive intel op against the US, breaking a bunch of US laws, in an effort to get Trump elected
But...
6/x
It was scrutiny of Russia's pro-Trump electoral interference op and of Trump's shady connections to Russia that made CIA fear for the spy's safety, not Trump's other disclosure of highly sensitive info to Russian officials.
Pretty damning defense, Trumpists, but you do you.
7/x
Pretty damning defense, Trumpists, but you do you.
7/x
So criticize CNN, they deserve it. Their false report about CIA's reasons for extracting the spy is unacceptable.
But we know it's wrong because other media outlets quickly corrected it.
Be wary of one outlet's unconfirmed "scoop." But media as a whole acquitted itself well
(END)
But we know it's wrong because other media outlets quickly corrected it.
Be wary of one outlet's unconfirmed "scoop." But media as a whole acquitted itself well
(END)
PS: When I say media as a whole did well with the story about CIA extracting spy from Russia, I'm referring to the accuracy, quickly challenging CNN's account.
Media members that are hunting down the spy in the US are wrong, very wrong, and should stop.
Media members that are hunting down the spy in the US are wrong, very wrong, and should stop.
