20070715 CNN's response to Michael Moore

CNN's response to Michael Moore

July 16^th, 2007

A follow-up to: 20070711 Michael Moore and Wolf Blitzer exchange pleasantries

I guess by now, CNN is wondering what it got itself into… I have learned the hard way that secular-progressives feel self-entitled to question and cast aspersions upon others. But don’t ever question – gasp - their agenda. They quickly become indignant and incredulous that anyone would ever investigate their claims. Folks such as Mr. Moore feel some sort of moral superiority that allows them to behave in any unpleasant manner that promotes their cause…

July 15^th, 2007

In response to a letter Michael Moore wrote about CNN's reporting on his documentary "SiCKO," a CNN spokesperson released the following statement:

"It's ironic that someone who has made a career out of holding powerful interests accountable is so sensitive to having his own work held up to the light by impartial journalists, as we did in our examination of 'SiCKO,' " the spokesperson said.

"In our original report, we made one mistake, which we apologized for and corrected on air and online six days ago, despite Mr. Moore's claim yesterday in his letter to us. Further, the e-mail Mr. Moore released in an effort to cast doubt on our reporting does no such thing.

"We appreciate Mr. Moore's attention to the important subject of health care and have featured him on CNN four times to discuss his movie and our reporting on it. While Mr. Moore may want to continue the discussion in order to drive publicity to his movie, we have presented the facts and are comfortable letting the viewers judge for themselves.

"We have zero vested interest in shading the numbers to tell a certain story. Suggesting otherwise, of Dr. Gupta or of CNN, just doesn't hold water," the spokesperson concluded.

CNN has always prided itself on balanced reporting of claims made by special-interest groups. Moore's documentary "SiCKO," which makes an impassioned case for a complete overhaul of the U.S. health care system, was not exempt from that reporting.

Don't Miss

Dr. Sanjay Gupta's blog

Michael Moore's letter to CNN

Moore has been sharply critical of CNN's reporting on his movie. CNN gave him multiple opportunities to respond, including lengthy segments on "The Situation Room" and "Larry King Live." Portions of those segments were aired in other CNN programs.

Moore recently posted and open letter and two so-called "Truth Squad" statements on his Web site. This document responds to the specific points Moore lays out:

Read the entire piece here: CNN's response to Michael Moore

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