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CNN puts neo-Nazi statement on screen

CNN chyrons experienced their fair share of criticism and praise over the 2016 election season, but a chyron that rolled across TV screens on Monday had viewers mouths gaping anew.

Colin Daileda

on November 21, 2016

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

CNN chyrons experienced their fair share of criticism and praise over the 2016 election season, but a news caption that rolled across TV screens on Monday had viewers mouths gaping anew.

"Alt-right founder questions if Jews are people," read the ticker. It came across the screen as CNN's panelists were discussing Richard Spencer, a prominent neo-Nazi who is considered by many to be the "father" of America's rapidly growing neo-Nazi movement.

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Spencer, who spoke at a conference in Washington, D.C. over the weekend, used a Jewish fable to reference the mainstream media: "One wonders if these people are people at all, or instead soulless golem."

Many viewers had a few issues with CNN's chosen wording when referencing Spencer's words.

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Let's start with "alt-right," which has become a catch-all phrase for white nationalists and neo-Nazis who understand the ins and outs of the internet. The term has been criticized for at times concealing that the people who use that moniker hold views that are no different than white supremacists of the past.

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Then, many viewers also couldn't believe the chyron questioned the humanity of Jewish people without any kind of rebuke.

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CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who has been praised throughout the campaign and after the election, called the ticker "unacceptable."

@jryanlaw @katzish @mateagold @mviser the chyron was unacceptable and though I'm off today we are handling this.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 21, 2016

Still, some defended CNN as simply reporting what a prominent neo-Nazi had said.

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As white nationalist neo-Nazis continue to grow in prominence in the United States, these type of coverage debates are likely to take place in more than just CNN chyrons.

Colin Daileda

Colin is Mashable's US & World Reporter. He previously interned at Foreign Policy magazine and The American Prospect. Colin is a graduate from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. When he's not at Mashable, you can most likely find him eating or playing some kind of sport.