CNN’s new brand of journalism isn’t winning over viewers.
The network received backlash on Tuesday after airing a live phone interview with a student at Great Mills High School in Maryland while the school was on lockdown after reports of shots fired on campus.
CNN spoke with Jonathan Freese, whom the anchors twice confused with Matthew Taggert–Freese’s teacher.
The teenager reported having been in his math class for 30 minutes when the call began.
Freese said he heard that “seven or so” people had been shot in the school’s art hallway. According to the student, one person was dead, and the incident began when “someone put a gun against their head” and someone else tried to intervene in a suicide attempt.
The Baltimore Sun reported three people injured, two of them students. No fatalities were reported, and authorities did not reveal the condition of the wounded or information about how the shooting began.
“Did you hear gunshots, Jonathan?” the anchors asked.
“I’m surprised I didn’t,” Freese replied, who admitted to being “shaken” by the incident.
He also said police responded “really quickly.”
“I do feel safe, though, because they always have police in our school and they’re ready for something like this.”
Freese added: “It’s something they couldn’t really prevent because they only have a couple officers, but they’re really well-trained officers. There could have been more casualties.”
Washington Post reporter David Nakamura questioned CNN’s interviewing.
CNN doing live interview with student on lockdown at the Maryland high school where school shooting was reported. He says he has to go b/c police are at the door. CNN asks if he can stay on phone even as he leaves. Strange new reality in real time reporting w/technology.
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) March 20, 2018
Student said he didn’t hear gunshots but then CNN asks him how many people were injured and he said he “heard 7” then adds he first heard it was one. Interesting implications of this kind of reporting.
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) March 20, 2018
Other Twitter users jumped in to criticize CNN for potentially putting the student in jeopardy by distracting him during a high-intensity situation, and because his conversation might alert a shooter to his location.
Do you & your cohorts at @CNN understand how fuqqing Disgusting this is? The kid should have been focusing on their safety, but you agenda driven low life hacks just HAD to interview the student. Y’all have Zero Morals!! Time to #BlockCNN on my TV.
— FedUpAmerican (@ralstondad) March 20, 2018
It’s in Bad taste at the Very least and really irresponsible
— Chris Estleton (@Estleton12) March 20, 2018
Please, don’t ask the location of these kids inside the school
— Tina Ridener (@RidenerTina) March 20, 2018
Is there an ethicist on staff? This is potentially gruesome and traumatic for millions. Is that the point to show what happens? To reach people?
— Amy??????????? (@AmySeeksTruth) March 20, 2018
Ugh the anchorman could not get his name right
— Sassy Sally (@MissyGivens1) March 20, 2018
‘Morning Joe’ frantic over poll that shows Americans are fully aware of a ‘deep state’
This is disgusting. Do you people have even a shred of decency?
— Botty McBotface (@JammieWF) March 20, 2018
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