# Why did CNN remove an article and make three journalists resign re: a piece on Trump / Russia **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051 "2017-06-28T13:58:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/1 "2017-06-28T13:58:49Z")
> **[Three CNN journalists resign after Trump aide article removed](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40414886)** > > Donald Trump Jr called the network "fake news" after it published the now retracted article. Last week CNN retracted an article regarding the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump and his associates. The story was based on an anonymous source. What I don’t get is why in this particular case that was suddenly an issue. Hasn’t using unnamed sources long been a part of investigative journalism? What was so egregious about this particular case? I’d prefer this to focus on the journalistic side of this and not turn this into another thread about the actual Trump / Russia ties. In this particular case what I’m really wondering is if CNN has decided to start going soft on Trump and this is the opening move on that, or if there really was a serious lapse in journalistic standards by the people who worked on the retracted article. I put the question in IMHO because I doubt there is a factual answer and I don’t see this being a great debate. I haven’t noticed any other threads on this topic, but if there is one, apolgies for opening a second thread on the topic. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/2 "2017-06-28T14:09:46Z")
It’s at least partially explained in your article: > [@](#): > > The story was written based on the account of a single anonymous source. Many news outlets require at least two sources before running a story. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/3 "2017-06-28T14:12:15Z")
I really cannot decide which of the two victor’s responses is more inelegantly expressed. President Trump: \*“Fake News CNN is looking at big management changes now that they got caught falsely pushing their phony Russian stories. Ratings way down!” \* Scaramucci: \*"@CNN did the right thing. Classy move. Apology accepted. Everyone makes mistakes. Moving on," \* These people really are… ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/4 "2017-06-28T14:20:30Z")
[Cable News Ratings: MSNBC, CNN, Fox News Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2](http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/cable-news-ratings-cnn-fox-news-msnbc-q2-1202479416/) Like what the hell, Trump? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/5 "2017-06-28T14:30:37Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > or if there really was a serious lapse in journalistic standards by the people who worked on the retracted article. This. CNN admitted it wasn’t up to their own journalistic standards and then fired, oops I mean resigned, three “journalists”. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/6 "2017-06-28T14:33:47Z")
> **[CNN faced $100M lawsuit over botched Russia story](https://nypost.com/2017/06/27/cnn-staffers-didnt-resign-over-retracted-story-they-got-fired/)** > > The specter of a $100 million libel suit scared CNN into retracting a poorly reported story that slimed an ally of President Trump’s — and forcing out the staffers responsible for it, The Post has … ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/7 "2017-06-28T14:42:51Z")
If CNN really were rethinking its editorial stance as to Trump, I suspect that it would not have chosen to make its first step in that new direction in the most publicly humiliating way possible, risking professional and legal backlash from the individuals that were cut loose. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/8 "2017-06-28T14:44:26Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > These people really are… Not talking to each other? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/9 "2017-06-28T14:49:14Z")
Is relying on a single source poor journalism? Didn’t the journalists who broke the Watergate story rely on a single source, the infamous Deep Throat? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/10 "2017-06-28T14:53:44Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Is relying on a single source poor journalism? Didn’t the journalists who broke the Watergate story rely on a single source, the infamous Deep Throat? IIRC, the story was that Deep Throat only ever confirmed stuff they already had. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/11 "2017-06-28T14:58:16Z")
Why not check CNN’s own account? [CNN employees resign after retracted article](http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/26/media/cnn-announcement-retracted-article/index.html) > [@](#): > > An internal investigation by CNN management found that some standard editorial processes were not followed when the article was published, people briefed on the results of the investigation said. > The story, which reported that Congress was investigating a “Russian investment fund with ties to Trump officials,” cited a single anonymous source. > These types of stories are typically reviewed by several departments within CNN – including fact-checkers, journalism standards experts and lawyers – before publication. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/12 "2017-06-28T14:58:58Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Is relying on a single source poor journalism? Didn’t the journalists who broke the Watergate story rely on a single source, the infamous Deep Throat? Broadly speaking, if I recall correctly, Deep Throat did not actually provide reportable information. Instead he provided “try looking here” direction. Using that, the journalists did investigating and appropriate sourcing. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/13 "2017-06-28T15:21:22Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Is relying on a single source poor journalism? Given the amount of remedial action taken, I suspect that in CNN’s case, the retraction came about not only because there was only a single source but because other information came to light that suggested that that source was wrong in some major way. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/14 "2017-06-28T15:28:39Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Broadly speaking, if I recall correctly, Deep Throat did not actually provide reportable information. Instead he provided “try looking here” direction. Using that, the journalists did investigating and appropriate sourcing. Yeppers. Unless W&B blatantly lied in _All the President’s Men_, they never used Felt as their sole source for a published story. IIRC, they never even used him as one of their two sources, but at most relied on him for additional confirmation. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/15 "2017-06-28T16:37:53Z")
Bob Woodward recently told reporters on the Russophobe kick not to “_binge drink the anti-Trump Kool-Aid_.”. As his old partner now advises CNN, i daresay that organization is ruefully weighing that advice and considering an honourable withdrawal. Self-humiliation is not a price Donald would relish nor extract, but it serves as a white flag. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/16 "2017-06-28T17:13:20Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > [CNN faced $100M lawsuit over botched Russia story](http://nypost.com/2017/06/27/cnn-staffers-didnt-resign-over-retracted-story-they-got-fired/) Wait, are conservatives FOR or AGAINST anonymous sources now? It’s so confusing!! > [@From your link](#): > > …The Post has learned… sources said Tuesday… one source said… Sources also said… one source said… Meanwhile, a CNN insider said… a source said… rumors were rife… a media source said Tuesday… Sources said… one attendee said… The only on-the-record quotes in that article appear to be from a CNN press release, a quote of a statement at a White House press briefing, a couple tweets, and a former CNN host who is quoted as saying Trump is a “piece of shit.” ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/17 "2017-06-28T17:37:37Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > Is relying on a single source poor journalism? Didn’t the journalists who broke the Watergate story rely on a single source, the infamous Deep Throat? No, Woodward and Bernstein had many prominent sources (and other reporters were simultaneously working other aspects of the story.) Deep Throat (aka Mark Felt) merely connected a lot of pieces of the puzzle and gave them ideas on who to talk to and what to look for. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/18 "2017-06-28T19:55:31Z")
CNN reprimanded Peter Arnett and fired three other reporters over the _Operation Tailwind_ story concerning the US Army using sarin gas on deserters. The story was shown to be false. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/19 "2017-06-28T21:47:42Z")
Jeez, Eric Lichtblau was just hired from the NYTimes and has a Pulitzer. His reputation just got skewered. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051/20 "2017-06-28T22:37:59Z")
\*\*Why did CNN remove an article and make three journalists resign re: a piece on Trump / Russia \*\* CNN is hounding Trump over Russia for one reason only: ratings. They are pandering to liberals who so desperately want something to come up, even though [CNN knows and has admitted that it’s all bullshit.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdP8TiKY8dE) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cnn-remove-an-article-and-make-three-journalists-resign-re-a-piece-on-trump-russia/790051.md?page=2)