.@TuckerCarlson retreats from story that CNN gave "scripted questions" to Parkland shooting survivor

"There is no evidence as of right now that CNN tried to give Colton Haab a scripted question, and we wanted you to know that” pic.twitter.com/K7FpehicAu
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) February 28, 2018

Fox News is backing down from a story that said CNN gave scripted questions to Colton Haab, a student who survived the massacre in Parkland, Florida during its town hall discussion of gun violence in America last week.

On their respective shows Tuesday evening, Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity backed away from the story after news emerged that Haab’s father had doctored emails and removed key phrases that served to incriminate CNN.

“For the sake of honesty and full disclosure to which we are committed, we have to tell you there is no evidence as of right now that CNN tried to give Colton Haab a scripted question, and we wanted you to know that,” said Tucker Carlson about 15 minutes into his show.

Also Read: Sean Hannity Posts Bizarre Right-Wing Painting, and It Becomes an Instant Meme

Toward the end of his show, Hannity’s remarks were even briefer.

“What Haab told all news outlets last week was inaccurate. Our job is always to strive for the truth and we want to correct the record”

First Tucker, now @seanhannity also backing off story that CNN offered scripted questions to a Florida shooting survivor.

"What [Colton Haab] told all news outlets last week was inaccurate. Our job is always to strive for the truth and we want to correct the record" pic.twitter.com/WEDxyTsM3m

— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) February 28, 2018

It’s unclear whether the channel plans to issue an apology for running with the story, a rep for the network declined to do so on Wednesday.

Also Read: Florida Shooting Survivor Says CNN Gave Him 'Scripted' Questions at Town Hall Event

Haab’s story was reported on Friday after he told a local news station in Florida that CNN had refused to allow him to ask a question at the town hall about arming teachers and had offered him a “scripted” question instead.

“CNN had originally asked me to write a speech and questions and it ended up being all scripted,” Haab told WPLG-TV.
“I expected to be able to ask my questions and give my opinion on my questions,”

“Colton wrote questions about school safety, suggested using veterans as armed school security guards but claims CNN wanted him to ask a scripted question instead so he decided not to go”

More from @RealClearNews https://t.co/Og5A39gwx9 pic.twitter.com/vXmDGDYvdN

– Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) February 22, 2018

CNN offered a swift denial of the claim that same day and invited Haab to appear on their airwaves to discuss his idea.

Also Read: Audience Savages NRA Rep During CNN School Shooting Town Hall: 'You're a Murderer!'

“There is absolutely no truth to this. CNN did not provide or script questions for anyone in last night’s town hall, nor have we ever,” the company said in a statement to TheWrap.

“After seeing an interview with Colton Haab, we invited him to participate in our town hall along with other students and administrators from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Colton’s father withdrew his name from participation before the forum began, which we regretted but respected. We welcome Colton to join us on CNN today to discuss his views on school safety.”

Bill O'Reilly Sexual Harassment Scandal: Complete Timeline of Events (Photos)

“The O’Reilly Factor” host Bill O’Reilly, the most-watched and most profitable personality on cable news, is officially out at Fox News. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fox profit machine’s fall from grace amid sexual harassment scandals.
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This year, O’Reilly has continued to dominate the ratings, ranking as the No. 1 most-watched cable news host — a position he’s held for more than a decade. Research firm Kantar Media estimated “The O’Reilly Factor” earned $446 million from advertisers between 2014 and 2016. See the 2017 cable rankings here.
Fox News
2004: In O'Reilly's first public run-in with sexual harassment claims, the host settled a lawsuit filed by his former producer, Andrea Mackris, according to a Washington Post report. The payout in the settlement was not disclosed.
Fox News
January 2017: The current scandal begins to bubble when the New York Times reports that Fox News and O'Reilly secretly settled a sexual harassment lawsuit in January. Juliet Huddy, a former Fox News employee, alleged that in 2011, O'Reilly tried to derail her career after she turned down sexual advances he made on her.
Fox News
April 1, 2017: The New York Times reported that O’Reilly and Fox News have settled sexual harassment and verbal abuse claims with five different women aimed at the host over the years. The two settlements mentioned above had been previously reported, but three were unknown. The payouts to women to end their suits total $13 million. Read more here.
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April 1: In addition to the settlements, two other women allege sexual harassment against O’Reilly. Former Fox host Andrea Tantaros alleged O’Reilly sexually harassed her in a lawsuit against former Fox CEO Roger Ailes. Radio host Wendy Walsh also came forward to allege O’Reilly made sexual advances on her when she was a guest on his show in 2013, and reneged on a promise to get her a job at the network after she rebuffed him.
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April 4: As the scandal grew, O'Reilly sponsors began to jump ship. Eleven O'Reilly sponsors exit the show, including Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, BMW, GlaxoSmithKline, Allstate, T. Rowe Price and Constant Contact. Read the full story here.
Mitsubishi/BMW
April 5: Donald Trump supports O'Reilly, saying the host "shouldn't have settled." Trump also said "I don't think Bill did anything wrong." Read the rest of the story here.
Fox News
April 5: Even more sponsors pulled their support for "The O'Reilly Factor." The advertisers jumping ship include Lexus, Credit Karma, Bayer, TrueCar, Wayfair, Orkin, Society for Human Resources Management, CFP Board and Coldwell Banker. The total number of sponsors departing the show now totaled at least 20. Read more here.
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April 5: As the scandal heated up, others weighed in, including former Obama speechwriters. Celebrities such as Patton Oswalt and Bette Midler called for O'Reilly's firing on Twitter. D.L. Hughley wondered if O'Reilly has become a target because of his money, amid a few jokes at his expense.
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April 6: As more advertisers pulled out of "The O'Reilly Factor," two sponsors told TheWrap their ads were aired by Fox News against their wishes. Both MyPillow and Crowne Plaza said their ads were aired despite instructions to Fox not to do so. Read more here.
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April 7: Fox apparently stands behind O’Reilly despite sexual harassment allegations, and women at the network are reportedly “in anguish” that O’Reilly went “unrebuked.” Meanwhile, the number of advertisers who have pulled out from “The O’Reilly Factor” climbed to 60 or more. Read the full story here.
Fox News
April 7: Angie’s List, an advertiser that vocally stood by O’Reilly through the scandal, bowed to public boycott pressure and dropped its “Factor” sponsorship. Read the story here.
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April 8: "Saturday Night Live" took aim at the O'Reilly scandal, while sending up Trump's support for the host. Alec Baldwin played both O'Reilly and Trump on the show. Watch the sketch here.
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April 9: Fox News pledged to investigate the sexual harassment claims against O'Reilly, including Walsh's. Read the full story here.
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April 11: Fox News aired what might have been the final episode of “The O’Reilly Factor.” The April 11 episode is O’Reilly’s last before a vacation he said he scheduled in the fall, running until April 24. But reports suggested O’Reilly may not return to the network when his vacation ends. Read more here.
Fox News
April 13: In a letter congratulating Fox News on recent successes, Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch failed to mention O’Reilly or the ongoing scandal. Read the full story here.
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April 18: An African American woman came forward to allege O'Reilly sexually and racially harassed her as a protest advocating O'Reilly's firing takes place at the Fox News headquarters in New York City. According to a statement by lawyer Lisa Bloom, the woman is "not asking for money, just accountability." Read more here.
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April 18: The Wall Street Journal, a publication owned by the Murdoch family (who also own Fox news), reported the network was looking to cut ties with O'Reilly before he returned from his scheduled vacation on April 24. Read the full story here.
Getty Images/Fox News
April 19: Women’s advocacy group UltraViolet urges Fox to “stop protecting sexual harassers” and fire O’Reilly in an online ad. Read more here.
UltraViolet
April 19: Fox News parent company 20th Century Fox releases a statement that O'Reilly will not return to the network. Read the story here.
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Everything you need to know about Bill O’Reilly’s ouster at Fox News

“The O’Reilly Factor” host Bill O’Reilly, the most-watched and most profitable personality on cable news, is officially out at Fox News. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fox profit machine’s fall from grace amid sexual harassment scandals.

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