Jeff Zucker Memo: CNN Did ‘Exceptional Work’ Despite Mistake

Jeff Zucker said that CNN Worldwide did “exceptional work” despite the serious mistake the news organization made during its coverage of the Boston bombings.

In a memo to his staff, Zucker explained that he was proud of the work CNN accomplished both in front and behind the camera this week. He added that everyone on-board eared his “deep gratitude and admiration” for the way they handled coverage, even when they managed to get things wrong.

Zucker wrote in the international memo:

“CNN has been there for our audience in every possible way — on television, online and on our mobile platforms. As Wolf would say, that was true for our audiences here in the United States and around the world. For journalists like each of us, these are the times that define what we do and why we do it. All of you, across every division of CNN Worldwide, have done exceptional work. And when we made a mistake, we moved quickly to acknowledge it and correct it.”

The misstep in question came on Wednesday when CNN’s John King reported that an arrest had been made in connection with the Boston bombings. Unfortunately for the news organization, this information turned out to be incorrect. CNN was then forced to backtrack and admit they had made a serious mistake.

The memo continued:

“Now, as the week comes to a close, I wanted to express my deep gratitude and admiration. You have worked tirelessly, around the clock, to share these stories. And our audiences have responded, making it clear that they rely on us in ever increasing ways. In front of the cameras and behind the scenes, you have shown the world what makes us CNN.”

Zucker took over CNN back in January. Despite the criticisms both he and the network have received in the past few months, he said that his detractors are simply jealous of the network’s success.

Do you agree with Jeff Zucker that CNN did “exceptional work” during their coverage of the Boston bombings?

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