ATLANTA, GEORGIA \u2013 CNN executives and on-air personalities vehemently denied allegations Monday that the network has been reporting real news, calling the accusations \u201cdeeply offensive\u201d and demanding that viewers stop spreading what they described as a damaging misrepresentation of the network\u2019s journalistic fake news standards.<\/p>\n
The controversy started after several viewers claimed to have watched recent CNN broadcasts and come away with the impression that they had received accurate, balanced information about current events. Network officials immediately launched an internal investigation, with senior executives reportedly expressing alarm that CNN\u2019s reputation could be irreparably damaged if the allegations were allowed to stand.<\/p>\n
“These are outrageous, defamatory accusations, and frankly, they\u2019re insulting to everyone who works here,\u201d said CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who interrupted a breaking-news segment. “We’ve spent years building a brand around delivering the kind of fake news coverage our viewers have come to expect and foolishly believe, and I can assure you that reporting real news is not something we take lightly. In fact, we take every precaution to avoid it.”<\/p>\n