CNN’s Sunday morning media program “Reliable Sources” lambasted an ABC News report which falsely asserted that President Donald Trump directed subordinates to open communications with Russia as a candidate in the 2016 general election.
The report, from investigative correspondent Brian Ross and sourced to unnamed officials, was later retracted. The Dow Jones industrial average lost over 300 points on the news.
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“The thing that baffles me about this is, why would it take ABC News hours to correct this when every other media outlet was right?” wondered PBS’ Jeff Greenfield.
“This is not Brian Ross’ first mistake in reporting breaking news inaccurately,” he added, before listing Ross’ previous errors. Ross has, among other things, broadcast false reports linking Aurora, Colo., movie theatre shooter James Holmes to the tea party, and Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to the 2001 anthrax attacks.
CNN’s Oliver Darcy said many inside ABC’s news operation are unsure if Ross will return following a mandated month-long absence. Ross was suspended for four weeks without pay after the false report.
“We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made yesterday,” the network said in a statement. “The reporting conveyed by Brian Ross during the special report had not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process. As a result of our continued reporting over the next several hours ultimately we determined the information was wrong and we corrected the mistake on air and online.”
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