- A CNN viral video featuring chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward, which purportedly showed a rescue operation in Syria, was revealed as a misleading propaganda effort.
- The "rescued prisoner" identified as Adel Gharbal in the video was actually Salama Mohammad Salama, a notorious figure tied to the Assad regime and suspected of involvement in theft, extortion and torture.
- Eyewitnesses and fact-checkers in Homs provided testimonies that sharply contradicted the video's portrayal of Salama, describing him as physically healthy and well-groomed, without signs of abuse.
- Despite admitting that Salama may have provided a false identity, CNN's explanations failed to quell public anger and doubts about the authenticity of the video and the network's credibility.
- The controversy highlights the erosion of public trust in the media, exemplified by CNN's long-standing accusations of bias, misinformation and fake news, further complicating the network's efforts to regain credibility.
In a stunning development, a recent CNN viral video that purportedly showed a rescue operation in Syria has been exposed as a deceptive propaganda effort. The segment, featuring chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward, was revealed as a misleading piece when the "rescued prisoner" was identified as Salama Mohammad Salama, a notorious figure tied to the Assad regime.
The video showed Ward entering a secret prison in Damascus, where she allegedly freed Adel Gharbal, a man identified as a rebel fighter who was reportedly unaware of the Assad regime's collapse. This report quickly gained traction, with many praising Ward's bravery and commending CNN's commitment to truth. However, the story began to unravel as fact-checkers from the Verify-Sy platform questioned the video's authenticity.
According to Verify-Sy, the man identified as Gharbal in the CNN report was actually Salama, a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Directorate. Local residents and fact-checkers in Homs soon exposed Salama as a notorious figure known for theft, extortion and torture. Far from being a victim of the regime, Salama was revealed to be involved in coercing residents into becoming informants and was known for detaining and torturing young men who refused to pay bribes.
The video's portrayal of Salama as a tortured and abused prisoner sharply contrasted with eyewitness accounts. These testimonies described Salama as well-groomed, physically healthy and showing no signs of torture. This discrepancy further raised doubts about the video's authenticity and the true nature of the reported events.
Can mainstream journalism recover after CNN's Syria fiasco?
CNN's response to these allegations has been met with skepticism. The network maintained that the events unfolded as depicted in the video, but admitted that the man may have provided a false identity. This admission, however, does little to alleviate growing public anger and doubt toward the network, which has long been beset by accusations of bias and misinformation. (Related: CNN credibility collapses under weight of fake news scandal… "no longer a news organization.")
In an era where public trust in the media is at an all-time low, CNN's latest controversy exacerbates this issue. The network's reputation for producing "fake news" and promoting false narratives has been under scrutiny for years, particularly in light of its vocal support for anti-Trump narratives and its role in promoting misleading pandemic information.
The exposure of Salama's true identity highlights the media's power in shaping public opinion. By presenting narratives that align with their political agendas, networks like CNN risk not only losing their audience's trust but also undermining the credibility of journalism as a whole.
As the truth continues to emerge, public cynicism towards the media is likely to intensify. The question remains: Can CNN recover from this latest scandal, or will it be remembered as the outlet synonymous with "fake news" and propaganda?
Watch Jimmy Dore commenting on CNN's staged rescue of Salama Mohammad Salama, who disguised himself as a prisoner at a Damascus gulag.
This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.
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