CNN reporter Ben Wedeman is in Cairo attempting to cover the protests in Tahrir Square, but Wedeman tweeted that the situation could be too dangerous for him due to developing anti-CNN sentiment:
@sophiaponders I'd love to be but given the hysteria whipped up against cnn, to go there now would not be a wise move. Would you, seriously?
— benwedeman (@bencnn) July 7, 2013
@Metalloy @WaelNawara We did. But from a balcony what do you get? I want to be in crowd but w/"Shame on CNN" signs everywhere reception dark
— benwedeman (@bencnn) July 7, 2013
Some tweeters came to Wedeman’s defense and wished demonstrators wouldn’t blame the on-scene reporter for the mistakes of his network:
Ironic that @bencnn taking heat for CNN's mistakes; good journo w fluent Arabic & deep knowledge from decades of living in Arab world
— Shiva Balaghi (@SBalaghi) July 7, 2013
@SBalaghi He's top notch, but what set this off? link? thx! c: @Nervana_1 @bbclysedoucet @bencnn
— Debbi Morello (@debmorello) July 7, 2013
What set it off? Sometimes a reporter can throw his or her resume out the window if somebody back at headquarters runs the wrong graphic or pushes an incorrect button (though we’re not exactly sure what caused these errors):
Based on replies, the "shame on CNN' signs have their origin in CNN calling events a "coup" and a shot of Tahrir mislabeled pro-Morsi crowd.
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) July 7, 2013
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CNN’s chyron department had a heck of a week. They’ve labeled anti-Morsi protesters as pro-Morsi:
CNN screenshot RT @hany2m: @erinmcunningham This photo I guess.. pic.twitter.com/AGWOMENR2b
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) July 7, 2013
CNN also mixed up Egypt’s flag and Syria’s flag:
@TwitchyTeam CNN 360 doesn't know #Egypt flag from #Syria. pic.twitter.com/9iSwYc3TDJ” No wonder no one watches them anymore
— Misha Ski (@msbs05) July 7, 2013
Oh, we wouldn’t agree that nobody watches CNN:
#cnn shame on you sign. @BBCWorld @cnnarabic @CNN @Hanyghoraba @HanyMust pic.twitter.com/Oh3zXS7kma
— SeifBat (@SeifBatanouni) July 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/mfatta7/status/353991104129007618
The CNN protest isn’t confined to Egypt, either:
https://twitter.com/mfatta7/status/353974973892796418
Egyptians protesting against CNN in the states… cNN shame on you!! pic.twitter.com/Y2toeRS6VY
— Nader Bouri (@naderbouri) July 7, 2013
Maybe CNN should send Piers Morgan down to smooth things over.
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