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CNN Fiddled While Tehran Burned

Twitter users blast network's paltry coverage during riots

By Jess Kilby, Newser User

Posted Jun 15, 2009 6:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – Twitter has already become a go-to place for breaking news, but the micro-blogging site assumed the role of media watchdog over the weekend, reports the New York Times. As riots protesting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory began to heat up in Tehran—and CNN aired a Larry King repeat about American Chopper rather than images of bloody students—tweets labeled #CNNFail began to fly.

CNN wasn’t the only cable news network noted for its scant coverage, but as the network famous for wall-to-wall coverage of Middle East conflicts, it received the brunt of online criticism. “Why aren’t you covering this with everything you’ve got?” tweeted one Atlanta man. Critics were particularly puzzled as to why the Twitter-savvy network didn’t respond to the online chatter with increased coverage.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Iranian supporters of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi are followed by Iranian riot-police in front of Tehran university during riots in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo)

Iranian supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hurl stones towards supporters of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi during riots in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo)

An Iranian supporter of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi is beaten by government security members during riots in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo)

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Hours after Iranian police began clashing with tens of thousands of people in the street the top story on CNN.com remains peoples' confusion about the switch from analog TV signals.
- ReadWriteWeb

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Timinator2K

Jun 15, 2009 12:49 PM CDT

BIG news reported...when its convenient and happens during M-F 8:00 am EST to 5:00 pm EST.

Nancy_Knew

Jun 15, 2009 12:05 PM CDT

Not entirelry fair foks. Light weekend staff. CNN DID go live Sunday night, but the regulars during these tight times deserve a weekend like the rest of us.

Corona_Kinq

Jun 15, 2009 2:31 AM CDT

I agree with the CNN sucks part, but so does every cable news channel. Personally though, I'd rather not base my news channel of choice on "ratings" anyway. Ratings are for entertainment, not the distribution of knowledge.

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New York Times (Source Grid »)
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CNN's 'Twitter in Iran' story avoids mention of #CNNFail angle
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Twitter's Tehran coverage is best, but sometimes hard to follow
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A collection of links to social-network Tehran coverage
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Media • Technology • World

Iran • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • protests • CNN • watchdog • riots • disputed election • media coverage • Twitter • Iranian election • Mir Hossein Mousavi

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CNN Fiddled While Tehran Burned