Brian Stelter, Washington Post face backlash for comparing arrest of CNN crew to George Floyd's death

by

CNN media correspondent Brian Stelter and the Washington Post are facing intense backlash for attempting to compare the arrest of a CNN crew while covering the Minneapolis riots to the tragic death of George Floyd.

On Friday, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his team were taken into custody around 5:10 a.m. local time as they were reporting live outside a liquor store that had been set ablaze in the demonstrations. An hour and a half later, the network reported their release.

“A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves -- a clear violation of their First Amendment rights,” the network said in a statement earlier. “The authorities in Minnesota, including the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.”

CNN'S DON LEMON: TRUMP 'CONTRIBUTED' TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT LED TO GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH

Police reportedly claimed Jimenez and the crew were taken into custody because they were told to move and didn’t listen. CNN said Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz “deeply apologizes” for the incident and had been working to have the three employees freed.

However, The Washington Post raised eyebrows later in the day with a piece headlined, "When a CNN camera hit the ground, America saw the world through George Floyd’s eyes."