When CNN Attacks

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(this blog is not affiliated with CNN in anyway)

From CNN:

“CNN is not publishing "HanA**holeSolo's" name because he is a private citizen who has issued an extensive statement of apology, showed his remorse by saying he has taken down all his offending posts, and because he said he is not going to repeat this ugly behavior on social media again. In addition, he said his statement could serve as an example to others not to do the same.

CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change.”

            A bit of back story. This quote is part of a larger article where CNN explains that they tracked down a person who posted a GIF on a Reddit form called r/The Donald. The GIF was a clip of Donald Trump on WWE Smackdown tackling and beating up Vince McMann but in place of McMann’s face was the CNN logo. This GIF was retweeted by Donald Trump. Journalists, without an ounce of self-awareness, claimed this tweet was the President advocating violence against journalists. CNN responds by not only running stories about this and playing the victim card, but sent KFile, one of their leading investigative teams to find the person behind the GIF. Through information they found online they were able to track the man’s personal information down and get in contact with him. The next day he issues an apology and backtracks everything. Then CNN writes this article where CNN includes the above quote.

            This behavior is known online as doxing. Doxing is obtaining someone’s personal and private information, such as home address, phone number, place of employment and names of family members, and publishing it publicly. CNN actively ordered people in their employ to find this information, they proudly say so in the article. What purpose would CNN have to obtain this information other than to dox the GIF poster or to threaten him with doxing? The added line “CNN reserves the right to publish his identity should any of that change” seems to be a clear and public threat that if HanA**holeSolo steps out of line or retracts his apology then they will release his identity. I am no legal expert but this does seem like a form of intimidation, if not blackmail, on the part of CNN toward a private citizen.

            CNN an international company with profits in the millions brought its force down on one guy who posted a GIF on the internet all because Donald Trump Tweeted out the GIF. If you found the GIF funny or in poor taste should not matter. What does matter is that CNN, a major news network with viewers all over the world, used its size and power to threaten one guy for ‘wrong think’. It is easy to say, well it’s not my problem, but the truth is it is not your problem today. But what about tomorrow? Or a week from now when CNN does not like something that you’ve said or posted online? I’m not going to back down, what about you?

#CNNBlackmail