CNN to Air Documentary on CNN Coverage of Sandy Hook Tragedy

NEW YORK – CNN announced a new prime-time documentary currently in production that will take a no-holds-barred look at CNN’s around-the-clock coverage of the Sandy Hook Tragedy entitled: “CNN’s Coverage of Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy.”

To be hosted by Anderson Cooper, CNN’s Coverage will examine the ripple effect of CNN’s coverage and how it changed the lives of ordinary Americans. The special will make use of actual CNN footage from those heartbreaking days, generously donated by CNN to CNN for the documentary. This is the first time CNN has allowed CNN to use its footage in such a way.

“This is something everyone’s talking about,” said Cooper at the announcement. “Our coverage of the horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut affected people on a very personal level, and I plan to dig deep to find answers to the unasked questions brought on by our broadcasts, and to talk to real people with real lives who were really watching our network in the hours and days after the shooting.”

As an example of the cutthroat style of journalism he expects to bring to the Special Report, Cooper promised to take a hard look at Soledad O’Brien’s role in CNN’s nonstop coverage of Sandy Hook. “She was on the ground in Newtown almost before the authorities, and she stayed on location for a number of days,” said Cooper. “What did she think about asking so many innocent people what they thought about the events that unfolded that day? America has a right to know and I’m going to find out.”

The 24-hour news network has produced a 30-second spot promoting “CNN’s Coverage of Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy,” and will be running the commercial every 22 minutes during CNN’s non-stop coverage of events in Newtown as they unfold.

“The willingness to take risks like this is what sets CNN apart,” said Cooper. “You think Fox News or NBC have the journalistic balls to cover CNN’s coverage? Think again. I doubt they’ll even cover my coverage of CNN’s coverage.”