CNN Caught Staging Protest Video After London Terror

CNN is under fire for this video of a reporter staging protesters behind their anchor after the London terror attack this weekend:

The network has responded, saying this is no big deal:

For those not familiar with live news production, it is actually not that uncommon for hosts and producers to arrange protesters or pedestrians behind reporter to provide a varied background. Sources familiar with this live shoot tell Mediaite that the protesters (“Muslim Mothers”) were already very near the location and the Police simply allowed them to move behind Ms. Anderson and crew.

So it’s no big deal, right? The protesters were THERE, they just wanted them in the background so it looked like there was a bigger protest happening that the reporter was stationed in front of!

Here is the piece

And some see even more media manipulation

Same group. Multiple locations. Any more screen shots? Spot the pink trousers. Were this group for hire? #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/8O57YOeQAK

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) June 4, 2017

A counterpoint from CNN:

Police allowed demonstrators thru cordon “so they could show their signs” to media, @CNNPR says. CNN, BBC, AP “simply filmed them doing so.”

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 5, 2017