AP/ September 22, 2012, 9:01 PM

State Dept. blasts CNN report on Stevens' diary

J. Christopher Stevens, U.S. Ambassador to Libya, who was killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012.

J. Christopher Stevens, U.S. Ambassador to Libya, who was killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, eastern Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012. / State Department

(AP) LOS ANGELES - A U.S. State Department spokesman says CNN reported on the personal journal of slain American ambassador Christopher Stevens over objections from his family.

The news channel posted in a story online Saturday that it found a journal belonging to Stevens four days after he died in a Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

State Department spokesman Philippe Reines says CNN broke a pledge to the late ambassador's family that it wouldn't report on the diary. Reines is a senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

He called CNN's actions "indefensible." CNN did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The channel said in the story online that it took "newsworthy tips" from Stevens' diary and confirmed them with other sources.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
7 Comments Add a Comment
linkicon reporticon emailicon
mjvwsr says:
Interesting; Secretary of State Clinton blasting the Clinton News Network
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Dakotaraised says:
CNN was once the premier online news site and their site was once the first one I went to, first thing in the morning; too see what was happening in the world.

No longer, CNN seems to be searching for a new identity and I never look at it anymore.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Dakotaraised says:
CNN was once the premier online news site and their site was once the first one I went to, first thing in the morning; too see what was happening in the world.

No longer, CNN seems to be searching for a new identity and I never look at it anymore.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
LosAngelesCA says:
Have some respect CNN. His DIARY? I do not understand how his diary was anyone's business and the State Department is right. How dare you break a pledge to his family.
reply
tiernanlaw replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Because it shows that he WARNED OBAMA'S STATE DEPT OF THE THREATS!

That IS News!
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Salmogairdneri says:
The State Department sure as hell has a right-an obligation-to pursue CNN's blatant illegal and unethical use of the Ambassador's personal diary. Thanks to CBS for reporting this and please follow through with the FBI. European news sources quote CNN's Anderson Cooper and paint a disgusting misuse of personal material. Stealing and using a personal diary from an FBI crime scene certainly should get the FBI's attention?
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
tsigili says:
After the bungling of securing that embassy, the State Department has no right to criticize anyone!
reply