(JTA) — CNN apologized for a banner flashed onscreen during a segment on white supremacist groups which read, “Alt-right founder questions if Jews are people.”
The segment was aired Monday on “The Lead,” which was being guest-hosted by Jim Sciutto.
On Tuesday, CNN said in a statement concerning the banner, known as a chyron: “It was poor judgment and we very much regret it and apologize.”
The Monday segment concerned statements made over the weekend by Richard Spencer at an event of the white supremacist think tank the National Policy Institute. Spencer suggested that the news media had been critical of presidential candidate Donald Trump in order to protect Jewish interests. “One wonders if these people are people at all, or instead soulless golem,” Spencer said.
Sciutto referred to Spencer’s remarks as “hate-filled garbage,” and the rest of the panel also expressed disgust after seeing a clip of Spencer’s remarks.
The Lead’s regular host, Jake Tapper, who was on vacation, criticized the chyron in several tweets.
He also tweeted in response to a complaint that the alt-right was given a platform on CNN: “they were not given a platform. The chyron was, however, unacceptable and will not happen again.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
