American television news channel CNN is apparently imposing new rules on stories “involving” Russia following removal of a news item about alleged ties between an ally of US President Donald Trump and the Kremlin from its website.
CNNMoney executive editor Rich Barbieri sent out an email Saturday, obtained and released Sunday by BuzzFeed News, dictating strict rules in regard to publishing Russia stories.
"No one should publish any content involving Russia without coming to me and Jason [Farkas]," read the memo. "This applies to social, video, editorial, and MoneyStream. No exceptions. I will lay out a workflow Monday."
On Friday, the news organization retracted a story about alleged ties between Anthony Scaramuccia and a Russian investment fund managed by a Kremlin-controlled bank.
“On June 22, 2017, CNN.com published a story connecting Anthony Scaramucci with investigations into the Russian Direct Investment Fund,” CNN said in a statement. “That story did not meet CNN's editorial standards and has been retracted. Links to the story have been disabled. CNN apologizes to Mr. Scaramucci.”
According to the deleted story, the US Senate is investigating ties between Scaramucci and the fund.
In a declassified report released in January, the intelligence community concluded that Russia helped with the New York billionaire’s campaign effort ahead of winning the White House in the 2016 election.
The allegation triggered probes into the matter by the US Senate, House of Representatives and the FBI.
Both Trump and the Kremlin have rejected allegations of meddling and collusion during the 2016 campaign and transition.