[Volokh] David Bernstein: Fraudulent CNN Video:

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by David Bernstein:
Fraudulent CNN Video:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_01_04-2009_01_10.shtml#1231518222


   The blogosphere has been abuzz about a CNN video (see below) allegedly
   showing Gaza physicians vainly trying to revive a dying boy, filmed by
   his brother (who, as it turns out, [1]owns a company that hosts Hamas
   websites). Sharp-eyed viewers noticed that the doctors were clearly
   play-acting, and CNN pulled the video with no explanation, though the
   network left a [2]text story up.

   What hasn't gotten attention is that the broader story told by the
   photographer to the CNN reporter is seemingly rather obviously false
   propaganda. From the video:

     Reporter: "Mahmoud and his 14 year old cousin Ahmed were allowed to
     play on the roof.... Now they are both dead." Palestinian
     photographer: "The Israeli plane targeted them with a small rocket
     just for them, just for them, and killed both of them."

   So the allegation is that not only did an Israeli plane purposely
   target two children playing on a roof, but did so with a special,
   small rocket that it apparently reserves for killing children on roofs
   without creating any of the obvious signs of serious damage to the
   building that a missile would cause. Putting aside the issue of Israel
   targeting civilians, the idea that a plane came to the building with a
   special small missile just to kill these two boys seems rather
   implausible, to say the least.

   There are plenty of real human tragedies involving civilians in Gaza.
   It would do wonders for CNN's credibility if it acknowledged its
   mistake, took the text story down, and, unless all the indications of
   the falsity of the story turn out to have an innocent explanation,
   fire the reporter (Michael Holmes) who either fell for, or actively
   participated in, a fake one.

   [EMBED]

References

   1. http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/32393_A_Staged_Scene_in_a_Gaza_Hospital_-_Update-_CNN_Yanks_Video
   2. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/08/hamas.boy/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCVideo