Letter: CNN in Belgrade

Eason Jordan
Wednesday 14 July 1999 19:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Robert Fisk's article "Taken in by the Nato line" (29 June) offers speculation instead of accurate, fair reporting. To suggest that CNN was the only media organisation to know that Nato had targeted Serbian television headquarters is simply wrong. This was common knowledge several days beforehand among the media in Belgrade and even among Yugoslav authorities.

Nor was anything unusual about the proposed Larry King interview. Throughout the months of hostilities, CNN maintained a standing invitation to Yugoslavian officials to discuss the issues of the conflict, by telephone or satellite broadcast. Serbian Information Minister Vucic, despite the dangerous environment, agreed to a satellite television interview with CNN's Larry King Live for 22 April. The article's claim that Vucic escaped death by mere minutes is wrong; the minister's representatives cancelled that interview 12 hours in advance of the scheduled programme.

Also incorrect, Fisk's reporting that the Larry King Live programme is produced by the entertainment division. CNN does not have an entertainment division; we are a global news network.

EASON JORDAN

President, International Networks and Global Newsgathering, CNN

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in