The prisoner CNN dramatically helped free from a secret Syrian facility turned out to be a notorious Assad-regime enforcer with a history of torturing those who refused to pay him bribes, according to a damning report by local fact-checkers.
Footage of the moment, featuring journalist Clarissa Ward leading the visibly startled man to freedom, went viral last week. Ward described it as “one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” in her 20-year career.
However, the independent fact-checking group Verify-Sy revealed Sunday that the man was not an innocent victim but Salama Mohammad Salama, a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence accused of extensive war crimes.
In response, CNN told the Telegraph, “We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story.”
The network aired dramatic footage last week of journalist Clarissa Ward leading the man, later identified as Salama Mohammad Salama, out of the prison. Ward described the moment as “one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed” in her two decades of reporting. However, the revelation that Salama was a high-ranking officer in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, infamous for extortion and torture, quickly turned CNN’s “exclusive” into a viral social media fiasco.
Critics and commentators ridiculed CNN online, with users labeling the segment as yet another example of sensationalized reporting gone wrong. Memes and tweets mocked the network for what they called its failure to verify facts, undermining its journalistic integrity.
The Embarrassing Oversight
Initially identified as “Adel Ghurbal,” Salama claimed he was an innocent civilian arrested months prior by government forces, unaware of Assad’s fall. CNN’s footage depicted him as frail and bewildered after supposedly spending 90 days in solitary confinement. Yet, Verify-Sy exposed glaring inconsistencies:
Salama appeared well-groomed and healthy, with no visible signs of torture. He did not flinch when exposed to sunlight, despite claiming to have been in darkness for months. Further investigation revealed that “Adel Ghurbal” was a false identity. Salama, known as “Abu Hamza,” had a grim history of extortion, torture, and even murder, according to local residents. He reportedly detained and brutalized young men, often fabricating charges to demand bribes. Ironically, Salama’s imprisonment was not due to his crimes against civilians, but reportedly a fallout with a senior officer over extorted funds.
CNN’s Damage Control
In response to the uproar, CNN admitted they were now “investigating his background” and acknowledged that Salama “may have given a false identity.” However, their efforts to defend the story only added fuel to the fire.
“No one other than the CNN team was aware of our plans to visit the prison building featured in our report that day. The events transpired as they appear in our film,” CNN told the Telegraph.
Eroding Trust in Media
This latest misstep highlights a growing distrust in mainstream media among Americans. Critics argue that CNN’s failure to perform basic fact-checking before airing the story demonstrates a recklessness that undermines journalistic credibility.
The public backlash isn’t just about one bad story; it reflects broader dissatisfaction with how major news outlets prioritize sensationalism over accuracy. Social media users were quick to compare CNN’s report to previous high-profile blunders, reigniting debates over bias, transparency, and accountability in media.
As CNN grapples with the fallout, the incident serves as a cautionary tale for journalists everywhere: in the race for a scoop, the truth should never come second.
