CNN Botches Boston Marathon Bombing Report, Falsely Claims Suspect Had Been Caught
Immediately following the bombing of the Boston Marathon, there was mass hysteria both on the ground and over the airwaves as people tried to piece together what had happened. Completely understandable. However, now CNN is catching quite a bit of flack for how it handled its uncertainty while dealing with the tragedy.
CNN originally reported that there had been a suspect that was arrested on Wednesday, two days after the bombing took place. Later they became unsure as to the legitimacy of this arrest, then again confirmed that it had happened. Finally, they got in contact with someone who actually knew what they were talking about.
"Contrary to widespread reporting, no arrest has been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack. Over the past day and a half, there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that has been inaccurate," an FBI spokesperson clarified.
CNN wasn't the only one. Both the Associated Press and Fox News also reported that there was a definitive arrest made in relation to the bombing, only to later rescind such claims. As far as the evidence CNN used to verify its original claims, it appears they were relying solely on the statement of a Boston law enforcement source who simply noted, "we got him." No verification was given as to whether that mean physically or visually, and as it turns out, it was only the latter.
"We're accustomed to 24 hour news networks thriving on conflict. Generally, though, that conflict is between two outside parties-political opponents, pundits-but CNN's reporters have discovered that they can remove the middle man and spend hours of programming fighting amongst themselves. They have figured out a way to shit in their own mouths," quips Comedy Central news host Jon Stewart, you can watch the clip here.
Though there have still been no arrests in the bombing, authorities have identified a couple of men who are persons of interest in the incident. After reviewing tapes, both men were seen in the general area of the bombs shortly before they went off, and one of them was carrying a backpack very similar to the that exploded. In some pictures it also appears that the man has taken off the backpack and left it somewhere.
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