CNN boss delivers personal apology to Uhuru over ‘hotbed of terror’ gaffe

CNN has expressed deep regret for portraying Kenya as a ‘hotbed of terror’ ahead of a visit to Nairobi by US President Barack Obama in July.

Tony Maddox, the network’s Global Executive Vice President and MD, flew to Nairobi from Atlanta to personally deliver the apology to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday.

Maddox oversees CNN’s global editorial policy and manages CNN news content worldwide.

He admitted that the description of the country was ill-fitting and undeserved.

“We acknowledge there is a widespread feeling that the report annoyed many, which is why we pulled down the report as soon as we noticed,” he said.

“It wasn’t a deliberate attempt to portray Kenya negatively, it is regrettable and we shouldn’t have done it. There is a world at a war with extremists; we know what a hotbed of terror looks like, and Kenya isn’t one.”

Uhuru expressed his deep disappointment at the story on behalf of the government, and because it angered the people of Kenya.

He also shared his views on the remark via Twitter hash tag #UhuruTellsCNN.

The president said CNN’s misrepresentation of Kenya was unfortunate and ill-timed, since it came at a critical moment in history, and made a mockery of soldier’s sacrifices.

“In one stroke, CNN’s description of Kenya as a ‘hotbed of terror’ undermined the sacrifices made by our Kenyan troops, and the value of hundreds of lives lost, and relegated them to nothing,” he said.

“That’s why Kenyans, as expressed by those on Twitter, were so angry. Kenya is nothing like the countries that have real war. There was no reason to portray Kenya in that way.”

Uhuru reiterated that the war on terror is a global threat that is not exclusive to Kenya.

He said Kenya Defence Forces troops and citizens continue to make great sacrifices to keep the country and the region safe.

Uhuru noted that while he didn’t expect Kenya to be showered in praise, it remained the duty of a credible press to stick to factual reporting and honest critique.

The CNN report was received with anger by Kenyans on Twitter, prompting a campaign under the hash tag, #SomeoneTellCNN.

A previous remark by CNN before the 2013 general election also sparked a campaign across social media.

On July 28, Kenya considered cancelling a multi-million shilling advertising deal with CNN over what it calls consistently negative stories.

The Kenya Tourism Board later said the one-year advertising deal had been suspended.

CNN’s top managers are expected in the city on October 10 for the 20th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Awards.

The Star