CNN's Bonkers Lie About the IDF and Militaries in General
It takes a lot to surprise me, but this one did. Tell CNN: hell no.
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When it comes to the media getting things wrong, it takes a lot to surprise me. But this one — about the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and militaries in general — was so blatant, so backward, that I listened to it four times just to make sure that that's really what they said. It was from CNN, my old stomping grounds, and came to me via a listener (whose voice you hear in the episode).
Possibly the most frustrating thing about it is that this lie came in what CNN was calling a “fact check.” As an actual fact checker, I can tell you there aren't many things more hypocritical than a news agency saying they're fact checking something and then literally telling you the exact opposite of what's true.
Here it is.
Also in this episode:
The fantastic Mr.
(see what I did there?) and I discuss his piece for Tablet, and why so many military “experts” don’t actually have expertise in the topicThe awesome actress and activist Debra Messing calls out “unconscionable” international media
Two new signs that the Washington Post might be the most biased newspaper in America when it comes to coverage of Israel — perhaps even the most anti-Israel news agency of any kind in the country
More about all this in the next newsletters. Be sure to subscribe to get them all!
What you can do
This one requires multiple actions. First, please share this newsletter with everyone on Earth. OK, you can focus on just sharing it with a million people. That’s a start.
Next, social media. If you’re on Instagram, like, comment on, and amplify this:
On Facebook, do the same with the post here. And here it is on X (Twitter).
I have begun reaching out to executives at Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN, as well as to top shareholders. I’ve explained to them:
Sadly, these days, it can take business pressure to get CNN to adopt basic journalistic standards. This is, of course, the opposite of how things should work -- news organizations should adopt these standards because of a commitment to the service of journalism.
I know from experience that pressuring its owners to demand action is generally far more impactful than pressuring CNN directly. You can do the same. Write to every person you know or can find, in any position, at CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery. FYI, here’s a list of executives at WBD, and here are some general addresses that are easily found: support@wbd.com, investor.relations@wbd.com, hello@discovery.com.
You can send them text like this:
CNN’s “fact check” pushed repugnant lies about Israel and militaries in general. These lies get Jewish people killed. As former CNN fact checker Josh Levs explains in the podcast They Stand Corrected (Episode 18), even a CNN military analyst refuted what CNN said here. But the story remains up. Are there no journalistic standards at CNN? Please act on this immediately, and be in touch with me by the end of the week to let me know which exact steps have been taken.
To Life!
This episode exists because a listener and supporter of the show sent me the link to fact check. You can do the same. Paid subscribers, use the comments section below to reach me. You get preference in having your thoughts and questions shared on the show. Other folks can find a form via my website, joshlevs.com.
Announcement: The number 18 is significant to me, and to many other people who are part of a tiny group of people that I’m a part of. It’s a group known as Jewish people in this country, but also known by other names around the world (in the episode, I discuss what we’re called in Italian). Eighteen signifies life, or “chai.” You probably know the term from “l’chaim,” which means “to life.” To celebrate, I have kept the annual subscription rate at a low factor of 18 for a bit longer. The rate will go up soon.
Thanks all and big love,
JL