ABC News suspends Brian Ross for erroneous Flynn report

[Qutzupalotl]

Source: AP


By JOCELYN NOVECK
9 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC News on Saturday suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross for four weeks without pay for his erroneous report on Michael Flynn, which it called a “serious error.”

Ross, citing an unnamed confidant of Flynn, had reported Friday that during the presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump had directed Flynn to make contact with the Russians. Hours later, Ross clarified the report on the evening news, saying his source had actually said that Trump asked Flynn to contact the Russians as president-elect — not before the election — about issues including working together to fight ISIS.

Read more: https://apnews.com/78440c185b7c49b39573257ad3353295

[FarPoint]

1. I questioned that point when announcement came out...

Once I heard Flynn render his statement, that issue was not there to....We can deduct that what repoter Ross said as true and reasonable....Flynn deal is sweet... typically, they always negociated up the food chain...There we're only 2 bigger fish than Flynn.. Pence and tRump....based on plea deal... Mueller probably has 2 fishes....

But...no factual evidence for the report to be made as firm.

[mobeau69]

2. A little higher standard than the POSPOTUS is held to, I must say. n/t

[johnnylol]

3. ross

i don't believe this was a accident...or error as they say it...

[Skittles]

5. why?

[denbot]

12. Rat fucking Skittles, rat fucking is in their DNA.

Think Dan Rather.

[kimbutgar]

4. Notice how reporters reported wrong things about Obama and were never suspended?

I wonder why?

[Honeycombe8]

11. This is different. nt

[Skid Rogue]

6. Aren't there editors that fact check these reports?

[bluestarone]

8. my thoughts too

maybe a tape recording? Just sounds weird to me

[Honeycombe8]

10. No. An editor can't possibly fact check all the reports of an org. It's the reporter's job.

Watch "All the President's Men." The editor relies on the reporter, questions the reporter, may tell the reporter it's not sourced enough, whatever. But it's the reporter who has the relationships with the contacts and does the reporting. The buck stops with the editor of the paper, though.

[marble falls]

7. Rooky mistake. Dummy.

[TomCADem]

9. If Fox or Brietbart Were Held to the Same Standard...

...they would be a ghost town.

[wishstar]

13. Flynn confidant told Ross that Trump directed Flynn to "find ways to repair relations with Russia"

DURING campaign. Then after Ross's initial report, the confidant clarified statement specifying that Trump directed Flynn to contact Russians after election.

The clarification gives Trump some cover for his actions during campaign, but still raises questions about Trump's motivations and intentions in directing Flynn during campaign to "find ways to repair relations with Russia"