CNN’s got plenty of tweeters up in arms this morning over a recent tweet concerning Edward Snowden and his “open letter to the people of Brazil”:
Snowden writes open letter to Brazil offering to help probe NSA surveillance, mentions need for asylum http://t.co/gxdtkeQh9a
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) December 17, 2013
Except that’s not what the tweet originally said.
CNN in tweet claimed Snowden today offered to "spy" on U.S.–then deleted it. Here's the whole thing: http://t.co/T5ZbMkMIF7
— Greg Mitchell (@GregMitch) December 17, 2013
In its initial tweet, CNN claimed that Snowden had offered to help Brazil spy on the U.S. But in the letter, linked to in CNN’s story, Snowden makes no mention of of such an offer. Here’s the relevant portion of the letter:
Many Brazilian senators agree, and have asked for my assistance with their investigations of suspected crimes against Brazilian citizens. I have expressed my willingness to assist wherever appropriate and lawful, but unfortunately the United States government has worked very hard to limit my ability to do so — going so far as to force down the Presidential Plane of Evo Morales to prevent me from traveling to Latin America! Until a country grants permanent political asylum, the US government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak.
Regardless of your thoughts about Edward Snowden, CNN does appear to have screwed the pooch on this one. And now, it’s got itself some fresh enemies:
Clearly @CNN working on the "Lie of the Year Award" @CNN: Edward Snowden offers to spy on the US & help Brazil investigate NSA surveillance
— Michelle (@Michelle9647) December 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/ssdavis75/status/412958058491289600
https://twitter.com/michaelscherer/status/412952760997257216
https://twitter.com/AndrewBlejde/status/412959656915382272
https://twitter.com/habramyan/status/412959226231656448
lies & slander #theUsual RT @CNN: Edward Snowden offers to spy on the US & help Brazil investigate NSA surveillance http://t.co/Q9OlWV2Bbv”
— ✊?? warrior outlier (@bondskew) December 17, 2013
http://twitter.com/rob_bieber/status/412952464527081473
Can anyone read at CNN? RT @CNN: Edward Snowden offers to spy on the US & help Brazil investigate NSA surveillance http://t.co/nksGkvSQdO
— Sarah Kay (@K_interarma) December 17, 2013
F'ing shameful description. “@CNN Edward Snowden offers to spy on the US & help Brazil investigate NSA surveillance http://t.co/pzTm0wrDkI”
— Thomas (@thomashorine) December 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/Daniel_IV_/status/412955042661302272
https://twitter.com/cbeswick88/status/412955139776208896
https://twitter.com/jasonjordan/status/412954922649280513
https://twitter.com/bennethakwuegwu/status/412956860887871488
https://twitter.com/fastlanect/status/412956954257281024
Not what your story says RT @CNN: Edward Snowden offers to spy on the US & help Brazil investigate NSA surveillance http://t.co/DfUzsIiaHA
— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) December 17, 2013
The accusation of Snowden's offer to help "spy on the US" is reckless, libelous, and completely unethical. Read his pastebin. Shame @cnn.
— Thomas (@thomashorine) December 17, 2013
https://twitter.com/ElGringoSpeaks/status/412955165646258176
As we mentioned earlier, CNN did delete the tweet:
Kudos to @CNN for deleting the tweet that inaccurately reported Snowden offered "to spy on the US" – He said he wouldn't do anything illegal
— Vincent Bevins (@Vinncent) December 17, 2013
But tweeters were dismayed to find no retraction:
https://twitter.com/habramyan/status/412962414334717953
The cowards at @cnn tweet lies about Snowden and then deletes it without a statement?How do people consider them a news source. #wakeupsheep
— Matt A (@NYFinest27) December 17, 2013
@CNN I'm disgusted at your reckless tweet about Snowden's intentions with Brazil. Deleting the tweet was not good enough.
— ldf (@ldf313) December 17, 2013
Well at least @StephenAtHome's journalism about NSA & Snowden is better than @CNN. They should look at his TL for research
— Michelle (@Michelle9647) December 17, 2013
Ouch.
CNN eventually got its act together, sort of:
We deleted an earlier and erroneous tweet on this topic. We regret the error and thank our followers for the feedback.
— CNN (@CNN) December 17, 2013
But this episode isn’t likely to be forgotten among Snowden defenders.
Embarrassing climbdown by CNN regarding #Snowden. LRT
— Songezo Zibi (@SongezoZibi) December 17, 2013
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