Satire by Jamie York
(Washington, Oct. 26, 2001) - CNN announced Thursday that all employees must recite the Pledge of Allegiance prior to beginning their shifts.
Citing the war in Afghanistan and the public perception that CNN correspondents and anchors are sympathetic to Afghan civilians killed by the U.S. bombing campaign, CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson said the new policy would go into effect immediately.
"America strikes back," Isaacson told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. "The United States is fighting a war against terrorism, so CNN will do everything it can to support our president and our nation. If that makes some people uncomfortable, then so be it; we are Americans first and reporters second."
Isaacson also said that correspondents and anchors who refuse to accept the new policy are free to work elsewhere."The war on terrorism is a war for freedom and liberty and we will not tolerate dissent. Our troops are in Afghanistan risking their lives, so our mission at CNN is to report stories that support the war effort. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance will be a daily reminder of this patriotic mission."
In response to a question about critics who argue that journalists should be free to report the news fairly and independently of any editorial or government control, Isaacson said that national security is more important than fairness. "This is not about fairness," Isaacson said. "This is about doing what is right for America. The terrorists were not fair on Sept. 11, so why should CNN be fair now? Let's face it, life is not fair."