Twitter users are livid about how America’s cable-news networks initially reported the Charleston massacre.
Fox News has been criticized for carrying an interview with Donald Trump as the tragic news came out of the South Carolina city. CNN also has been criticized sharply for running international feeds and being slow to respond. MSNBC and the network-news organizations haven’t escaped criticism either, with many people on social media feeling that coverage has been slow and lacking.
Actor Rob Lowe was among the most vocal, blasting the media both for taking so long to report the incident and then for failing to relay key facts in what is now being called a “hate crime” by Charleston police. “The media should be ashamed. 3 hours to get on air and then gives detailed suspect description WITHOUT mentioning his race,” tweeted Lowe. He followed up by upbraiding CNN producers for continuing to neglect to mention the lead suspect’s race.
The media should be ashamed. 3 hours to get on air and then gives detailed suspect description WITHOUT mentioning his race. #Charleston
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) June 18, 2015
Lead CNN producer and official statement talk of “clean shaven, slender and hoodies“. Only others add that he was white. #Charleston
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) June 18, 2015
A mass murder/hate crime on American soil. Fox News is showing a Trump interview. CNN is simulcasting international feed.
— Joe Adalian (@TVMoJoe) June 18, 2015
Problem with traditional TV media, huge breaking news story happening right now in Charleston and CNN, MSNBC, Fox all showing 8PM re-runs.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) June 18, 2015
Dunno the logistics that have MSNBC capable of full Charleston coverage while CNN has international feeds and Fox News has canned Trump.
— Daniel Fienberg (@HitFixDaniel) June 18, 2015
Nine people lay dead & @CNN is hard at work fanning the flames of racial discord, pitting whites against blacks #CharlestonShooting #tcot
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) June 18, 2015
Hey @cnn not sure if you follow the news but there’s a mass shooting in Charleston FYI
— Fake SportsCenter (@FakeSportsCentr) June 18, 2015
…….twitter is beating CNN….MSNBC…and FoxNews…..again
— Thoughtful_BlaCkman (@wizdom4you) June 18, 2015
Why am I getting more information about the #CharlestonShooting from twitter than I am from @CNN @FoxNews @MSNBC @ABC @NBCNews @CBSNews?
— DarlingEbony (@DarlingEbony) June 18, 2015
