CNN has pulled a story on the massacre of Thai preschoolers and apologized after its journalists entered the childcare center where 24 children were killed and filmed the crime scene without permission.
The two CNN journalists involved were fined after authorities found they had worked in the country after entering on tourist visas but they were cleared of wrongdoing for entering the nursery.
An investigation determined the journalists believed they had obtained permission to enter and film after being waved into the building by a volunteer or a health officer and were unaware the person was not authorized to allow them inside.
They each agreed to pay fines of 133 dollars and leave the country.
Both journalists apologized as did CNN International’s executive vice president and general manager, Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy said his reporters never meant to break any rules and had sought permission to enter the building but the team “now understands that these officials were not authorized to grant this permission”.