Exclusive: CNN.com: Are They Really Looking Out For You?

by DR. HARVEY KUSHNER July 9, 2008

"TSA: Drunk fire-starter on plane in police custody," the June 19, 2008, headline proclaimed. CNN.com posted this story about how an inebriated passenger tried to set the curtains of a Boeing 767 on fire during a recent trans-Atlantic flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Vienna, Austria. Central to the piece was how the federal air marshal aboard the flight subdued the passenger and turned him over to authorities when the flight landed.

The story went on to explain how it was the policy for air marshals never to fly alone and that the other air marshal, or marshals, on the Delta flight remained undercover in case the passenger was being used as a diversion. CNN.com cited a TSA spokesman to confirm that other air marshals were aboard the flight.

Am I missing something? Does the TSA really want to discuss the number of air marshals aboard domestic or trans-Atlantic flights?

A bigger problem with this story relates to the need for CNN.com to report the exact number of marshals on a flight. Is it really important for the public to know?

CNN.com, the news website of the Atlanta based, liberal-leaning cable network of the same name has undertaken to expose the shortcomings of the TSA's air marshal program. It featured stories entitled "Ex-marshal: Air marshal training a national disgrace" and "Sources: Air marshals missing from almost all flights."

These sensational headlines tempt Internet surfers to stay and read. They may also serve to hold the TSA's feet to the fire. I applaud investigative journalism aimed at correcting a problem and agree that public safety should not be jeopardized.

Yet reporting the actual number of air marshals on a flight does give something to the criminals, crazies and crusaders. Granted the information surrendered is rather small, but it's still information. Why give it?

I'm not entirely sure that the TSA spokesman cited in the CNN.com story was quoting the "Gospel according to John." He might have been inflating the number of marshals aboard flights to distract from past criticisms of the air marshal program or purposely putting out misinformation. My gripe is not with the TSA and the possibility that their loose lips might sink ships.

I take issue with CNN.com. There was no need to dwell on the number of air marshals aboard the flight. The circumstances of the arrest should have sufficed. Stating that it is policy for air marshals to never fly alone is entirely unnecessary. Revealing that the other air marshal, or marshals, remained undercover is downright stupid.

Do you really believe that CNN.com intended to misinform the bad guys? If you do, I have a bridge to sell you. A kinder explanation rests with their inability to know when they are harming the public. More thoughtful reporting makes us all safer as we fasten our seat belts heading down the middle of the runway.

© 2008 Harvey Kushner, PhD

Family Security Matters Contributing Editor Harvey Kushner, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized authority on terrorism and related security matters, and has advised and trained numerous governmental agencies such as the FBI and U.S. Customs. He also has just launched a new conservative news site, www.harveykushner.com . Please visit it today.