Confirmed: Fear of terrorism is driving CNN’s editorial decisions
By Erik Wemple
The Washington Post
The New York Times has premised its refusal to republish the most controversial Charlie Hebdo cartoons on the sensibilities of its readers: “Under Times standards, we do not normally publish images or other material deliberately intended to offend religious sensibilities. After careful consideration, Times editors decided that describing the cartoons in question would give readers sufficient information to understand today’s story.” Echoes of the “deliberately” offensive rationale ring out from top managers at the Associated Press and The Post.
Compelling as these arguments may sound, they boil down to a refusal to show the world as it is, to explain how events have evolved. They also express the mainstream media’s long-held belief in the fragility and naivete of its audience. Plus, who is the New York Times to judge the intentions of a cartoonist? How does the paper know what’s “deliberately” offensive? Would it publish “accidentally” offensive drawings?
Yet the deliberately-offensive rationale is more defensible than the one offered this morning by CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker. According to a story by CNNers Brian Stelter and Tom Kludt, Zucker opened an editorial meeting this morning with the following message: “‘Journalistically, every bone says we want to use and should use’ the cartoons, Zucker said. But ‘as managers, protecting and taking care of the safety of our employees around the world is more important right now.’”
Which amounts to an admission that fear of terrorism is driving CNN’s editorial decisions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/01/08/confirmed-fear-of-terrorism-is-driving-cnns-editorial-decisions/
