VA Secretary TORCHES CNN – What They LIED About

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins slams CNN for pushing a false story about automated VA call centers, raising the alarm on media misinformation and accountability.

At a Glance

  • The VA plans to automate call centers as part of broader layoffs involving 80,000 jobs.
  • Collins blames CNN’s Brian Todd for spreading false information about the VA’s plans.
  • The VA reached out to CNN to correct the misinformation, but CNN did not retract the story.
  • Collins criticizes CNN’s journalistic standards, citing a recent defamation case.
  • Veterans advocates and Congressional staffers voice concerns over live agents’ potential loss.

VA’s Automation Plans Under Fire

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to automate its call centers, a prospect that raises alarms for many who see the move as potentially eliminating critical support for veterans. This proposal is part of a more extensive strategy involving approximately 80,000 layoffs across various roles within the VA. Critics argue that this overhaul puts veterans at risk by removing live agents needed for scheduling appointments and supporting medical care.

Watch coverage of the VA’s controversial automation plan.

These layoffs will hit administrative and medical roles, even targeting the already stretched-thin Human Resources support functions. Echoing widespread concern, veterans’ advocates stress that this move could severely harm the quality and timeliness of care provided to veterans, potentially impacting their health and wellbeing, as noted in this post.

CNN Under Scrutiny for Misreporting

CNN finds itself embroiled in controversy after Doug Collins accused the news outlet of spreading false information. Collins specifically called out CNN correspondent Brian Todd for reporting unsubstantiated claims about the VA’s automation of call centers. According to Collins, Todd’s report stemmed from fake, leaked information not reflective of genuine VA plans. This issue raises critical questions about the ethics and responsibility of media bodies in ensuring accurate news delivery.

Late last week, Brian struck again, claiming to have a scoop about a proposal to “automate VA call centers.” In reality, no such plans exist. Brian’s scoop was based on false, deliberately leaked ‘information’ from people who aren’t involved in our planning process. In other words, Brian was the target of a disinformation operation designed to generate fake news,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

Despite the VA’s attempts to communicate with CNN’s editors about inaccuracies, Collins reported that CNN chose not to retract the false story. Instead, the network purportedly preferred a response statement, raising further doubts about its commitment to truthful reporting. This episode further underscores the need for media companies to take greater responsibility in their reporting processes, as shown in this post.

Collins Calls for Higher Journalistic Standards

Doug Collins has taken a firm stance, highlighting the recent defamation case against CNN where a jury ruled against the network with a $5 million damages charge. “What happened to the journalistic principle of verifying something is true before publication?” asked Collins, stressing the defamation case as a cautionary tale for the network.

“What happened to the journalistic principle of verifying something is true before publication? With standards like these, it’s easy to see why a jury recently found CNN liable for defamation and ordered the network to pay $5 million in damages,” said Doug Collins.

The VA Secretary’s remarks spotlight an ongoing dilemma about media integrity, raising essential questions about accountability in journalism. By urging CNN to adhere to a higher standard, Collins highlights the pressing need to prioritize accuracy and fairness in reporting. Such cases fuel the debate on media responsibility and the role it plays in shaping public discourse.

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