China Rejects CNN Answer On Cafferty Comments

Chinese Foreign Ministry Took Issue With ‘Goons’ And ‘Thugs’ Characterizations

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 4/17/2008 2:32:00 PM

In an international brouhaha, China Thursday rejected CNN’s response to its demand that the network make amends for “goon” remarks made by Jack Cafferty, according to the Associated Press.

During an April 9 appearance on CNN’s The Situation Room, in talking about America’s relationship with China Cafferty said, “I think they’re basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry took umbrage at Cafferty’s comments, demanding an apology from CNN, AP reported.

Cafferty himself later clarified his comments, saying he was referring to the Chinese government, not the Chinese people or Chinese Americans.

Then in a statement, CNN also noted that the remarks only referred to the Chinese government, and apologized to those who thought otherwise, according to AP.

“CNN would like to clarify that it was not Mr. Cafferty’s, nor CNN’s, intent to cause offense to the Chinese people, and would apologize to anyone who has interpreted the comments in this way,” CNN said in a statement Wednesday.

“CNN is a network that reports the news in an objective and balanced fashion,” the network said. “However, as part of our coverage we also employ commentators who provide robust opinions that generate debate.”

That apparently was not enough for China, as its Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao demanded that the remarks be retracted that CNN and Cafferty “apologize to the entire Chinese people,” AP reported.