On the morning of November 15 CNN hosts Isha Sesay and John Vause did an interview with Yaser Louati (of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France) about the Paris terrorist attacks. The interview was so blatant in its bias towards Muslims that it almost looked like an over the top parody of a Fox News piece. However, it was no parody, as stoking the flames of hate is not comedic at all.

In the interview the hosts continually asserted that the Muslim community somehow knew full well about the attacks and should have warned the general public about them. When the guest pushed back on that notion, he was admonished and told that the Muslim community has to be “preemptive” in their condemnation. The segment ended by both hosts dismissively stating, “The term responsibility comes to mind” and “You can’t shirk that”.

This is not just bad journalism. It’s downright dangerous. There’s already rampant anti-Muslim sentiment in the Western world. Propagating this ignorant narrative, and hurtling these baseless accusations towards a whole community endangers the lives of its members.

There are plenty of ignorant people threatening Muslims on social media. There are also many politicians who are being reckless with their rhetoric to serve their agendas. That’s to be expected, as every society has its underbelly. However, CNN, which purports itself to be a responsible “News” organization, should not be the purveyor of this kind of vile, insensitive and racist attitude. This kind of collective blame has to stop.

We demand that CNN:

• Unreservedly apologize for this interview.
• Reprimand the hosts, Isha Sesay and John Vause, for their dangerous assertions.
• Direct them to apologize, on air, for their insensitive and careless remarks about the Muslim community, as these hosts have a responsibility to uphold journalism standards, that they clearly “shirked”.

Below are some quotes from, and the full video of, the interview:

“If your camp is the French camp, then why is it that no one within the Muslim community there in France knew what these guys were up to?” John Vause

“What is the responsibility within the Muslim community to identify people within their own ranks when it comes to people who are obviously training and preparing to carry out mass murder.” John Vause again. As if Muslims get notified of terrorist boot camp dates and venues?

“I have yet to hear the condemnation from the Muslim community on this.” John Vause.
As a news person, he should know that EVERY Muslim community organization in France, and throughout the West has condemned these attacks.

And finally, at the end of the interview:
“The word responsibility comes to mind,” John Vause.
“It just comes to mind, you can’t shirk that.” Isha Sesay.

Link to full video of the interview: https://youtu.be/Fx6vdKZ7hRU