Criticism mounts as US information channel backtracks on identification of Syrian prisoner who supplied a false identify 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 crew, 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 mentioned as he cowered below a blanket with fingers raised.
CNN’s irresponsible reporting is a slap within the face to all of the laborious working and dilligent journalists who’ve been protecting Syria for years, typically at nice private threat. Heads ought to roll… https://t.co/oUBuGVJmZ8
— Christian Henderson (@CjvHenderson) December 17, 2024
The man, who recognized himself within the video as Adel Gharbal from Homs, was revealed to be Salama Mohammad Salama, in line with the Syrian fact-checking platform Verify Sy on Sunday – an assertion later confirmed by CNN’s personal investigation.
Salama instructed CNN he was in detention for 3 months after his cellphone was searched and he was later transferred to a different facility in Damascus.
However, Verify Sy reported residents saying he had been incarcerated for lower than a month over extortion-related expenses.
Does nobody see how problematic—and staged—that is? Shame 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 mentioned in her report that she and her crew 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 towards al-Assad.
A group notice shared below Ward’s publish on X, the place she referred to as it “some of the extraordinary moments” of her profession, now reads: “His actual identify is Salama Mohammad Salama. Salama, generally known as “Abu Hamza,” is a primary lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, infamous for his actions in Homs. Residents recognized him as regularly 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 general well-groomed look, casting doubts concerning the reality behind the community’s extensively shared video.
Many of us appropriately 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 is a completely shambolic occasion for CNN,” one person posted on X.
Another person accused the US outlet of “backtracking”, placing the blame squarely on Salama, and “absolving itself of any wrongdoing”.
CNN mentioned it was unaware of Salama’s whereabouts and had been unable to make contact with him.
