Kenyans are upset about a news report that appeared on CNN International. The report–about the deadly grenade attacks in Nairobi last week–said that the violence was “widespread” throughout the country, and featured a graphic with what looked like a scorched Kenyan flag (photo right via).
The correspondent in the CNN piece, David McKenzie, apologized for the “banner” on Twitter, but said that the reporting in the piece was accurate:
Our reporting onlast night was accurate, the banner used in bulletin was not. I contacted CNN for future bulletins. Apologies to all.
Advertisement— David McKenzie (@McKenzieCNN) March 11, 2012
In a separate Tweet he said that CNN had pulled down the video from its website.
One of Kenya’s largest newspapers, The Daily Nation, reports that Kenya’s ambassador to the U.S. has asked the channel for a formal apology:
He said it was unfortunate that CNN would use a banner with a burning Kenyan flag which was in no way was related to the events of the Saturday’ grenade explosion.
“Surely, CNN can do better than that,” he wrote.
Mr Odembo said he expected CNN to take full responsibility for misinforming its viewers at a time when Kenya was recovering a dented image after the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
He said the casual apology by Nairobi-based reporter was not enough. “The least we can expect is a written explanation accompanied by a formal apology,” he said.