★★★★★ 0/5

Visa revoked for CNN’s Anna Coren

Australian reporter Anna Coren is one of two CNN staff to have their visas revoked after entering a Thai childcare centre without permission.

0
Leave a comment

Australian reporter Anna Coren is one of two CNN staff to have their visa revoked in Thailand after they entered the off-limits childcare center where a mass shooting took place last week.

At least 24 children and 12 adults were killed last week at the center in Nong Bua Lamphu in northern Thailand.

Bangkok Post reports they trespassed the childcare center and reported from inside the building.

Thai immigration officials claimed the pair entered Thailand on tourist visas which did not allow them to work in the country.

Anna Coren, formerly of Today Tonight   and cameraman Daniel Hodge, a British national, arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday and were permitted to stay until Nov 19 as tourists.

CNN said it had removed the report from its website but insisted that the reporters entered the center “in good faith” with permission, although it learned later that the officials who gave them the access had no authority.

The two CNN staff were fined 5000 baht ($AU209) and Coren, who has been with CNN based in Hong Kong since 2008, issued a video apology to the people of Thailand.

“We are so sorry of we have caused you more pain and suffering. That was never our intention. We would also like to apologize to the Thai police and to the Deputy Police Chief for the inconvenience that we have caused,” she said.

The Thai Journalists’ Association criticized CNN’s actions as “unethical” and “insensitive,” and called for an internal company investigation of the incident in addition to the official Thai probe.

  • Tagged with CNN