Criticism mounts as US information channel backtracks on id of Syrian prisoner who supplied a false title and labored as an intelligence officer within the Assad regime.
A Syrian regarded as a prisoner rescued by United States media outlet CNN has turned out to be a former intelligence officer within the Bashar al-Assad authorities.
After a lightning offensive that overthrew the 24-year-long regime this month, opposition fighters freed 1000’s of individuals from a community of prisons run by the previous authorities.
The report produced by CNN documenting what it claimed was the rescue of the prisoner has garnered widespread criticism, forcing the media outlet to re-examine the claims.
The video, aired on Thursday, exhibits CNN’s Clarissa Ward and her staff, accompanied by an opposition fighter, reporting from a secret jail within the capital, Damascus, and stumbling upon a “hidden prisoner”.
“I’m a civilian. I’m a civilian,” the prisoner stated as he cowered below a blanket with arms raised.
CNN’s irresponsible reporting is a slap within the face to all of the onerous working and dilligent journalists who’ve been overlaying Syria for years, typically at nice private threat. Heads ought to roll… https://t.co/oUBuGVJmZ8
— Christian Henderson (@CjvHenderson) December 17, 2024
The person, who recognized himself within the video as Adel Gharbal from Homs, was revealed to be Salama Mohammad Salama, in response to the Syrian fact-checking platform Confirm Sy on Sunday – an assertion later confirmed by CNN’s personal investigation.
Salama advised CNN he was in detention for 3 months after his telephone was searched and he was later transferred to a different facility in Damascus.
Nevertheless, Confirm Sy reported residents saying he had been incarcerated for lower than a month over extortion-related costs.
Does nobody see how problematic—and staged—that is? Disgrace on you, @clarissaward @CNN, for exploiting Syrian survivors and profiting off the ache of struggling communities. This isn’t journalism; it’s ego-driven sensationalism. cc @NatEnquirer @TheSun #Syria https://t.co/oeayi3OPHn
— Raja Althaibani (allegedly) (@RajaAlthaibani) December 12, 2024
Ward stated in her report that she and her staff had been on the jail initially trying to find US journalist Austin Tice, who went lacking in 2012 when he was kidnapped within the capital whereas on a reporting tour to cowl the rebellion in opposition to al-Assad.
A group observe shared below Ward’s publish on X, the place she known as it “some of the extraordinary moments” of her profession, now reads: “His actual title is Salama Mohammad Salama. Salama, generally known as “Abu Hamza,” is a primary lieutenant in Syrian Air Pressure Intelligence, infamous for his actions in Homs. Residents recognized him as ceaselessly stationed at a checkpoint within the space’s western entrance.”
After the discharge of the report, customers on social media started questioning CNN’s protection, some even accusing the US outlet of staging the entire incident.
One person highlighted Salama’s “completely manicured nails”, “clear garments” and total well-groomed look, casting doubts in regards to the fact behind the community’s extensively shared video.
Many people accurately suspected that CNN staged the prisoner story.
CNN is now backtracking, shifting blame onto the person whereas absolving itself of any wrongdoing.@clarissaward personal up and apologise for deceptive your viewers. https://t.co/CkoqXb7GZx
— Ismailoğlu Pasha (@IsmailogluF) December 16, 2024
Since Monday’s clarification, many have demanded CNN apologise for its unique reporting.
“This can be a completely shambolic occasion for CNN,” one person posted on X.
One other person accused the US outlet of “backtracking”, placing the blame squarely on Salama, and “absolving itself of any wrongdoing”.
CNN stated it was unaware of Salama’s whereabouts and had been unable to make contact with him.
