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Time Magazine and CNN Apologize for Sarin Gas Claims

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Time magazine has apologized to its readers in this week's editions for its report on U.S. military forces using deadly sarin nerve gas to kill American defectors in a secret mission in Laos in 1970. The story, which was a joint collaboration between Time and CNN, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the credibility of both media outlets. Time Managing Editor Walter Isaacson has written a full-page letter of apology in the editions, stating that the magazine's credibility is its most important asset and that mistakes should be acknowledged and corrected as quickly as possible.

Key Takeaways:

  • Time magazine has apologized for its report on U.S. military forces using sarin gas in Laos, citing a lack of evidence to support the claims.
  • The story was a joint collaboration between Time and CNN, which has sparked controversy and raised questions about the credibility of both media outlets.
  • Time Managing Editor Walter Isaacson has written a full-page letter of apology in the editions, stating that the magazine's credibility is its most important asset.
  • Time has no plans to sever its working ties with CNN, despite the controversy surrounding the story.
  • CNN foreign correspondent Peter Arnett and producer April Oliver were involved in the report, along with Pentagon sources and other participants in the mission in Laos.
  • The report was strenuously denied by other participants in the mission, and CNN eventually fired Oliver and her supervisor, producer Jack Smith.

Statistics:

  • 1970: The year in which the alleged secret mission in Laos took place.
  • June 7: The date on which the joint CNN and Time news venture "NewsStand: CNN & Time" premiered, featuring the sarin gas charges.
  • June 8: The date on which the story was repeated in the editions of Time magazine.
  • 1: The number of Pulitzer Prize wins by CNN foreign correspondent Peter Arnett before the controversy surrounding the report.
  • 1: The number of chances given to CNN to correct the report before retracting and apologizing.

Sources:

  • Time magazine, June 22, 1999
  • CNN, June 17, 1999
  • The Washington Times, June 20 and 21, 1999
  • ABC-TV, June 20, 1999 ("This Week" program)
  • Associated Press, various sources

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