A survivor of the massacre as Parkland, Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is accusing CNN of giving him scripted questions during Wednesday night’s town hall on gun violence.
Colton Haab told Miami’s local WPLG-TV that the network refused to allow him to raise his idea that schools consider employing U.S. military veterans as armed security guards and instead offered him canned questions.
“CNN had originally asked me to write a speech and questions and it ended up being all scripted,” Haab said, adding that he decided not to attend the event as a result.
“I expected to be able to ask my questions and give my opinion on my questions,” Haab told the station’s Janine Stanwood. “I don’t think that it’s going get anything accomplished. It’s not gonna ask the true questions that all the parents and teachers and students have.”
The network has categorically denied the charges.
“There is absolutely no truth to this. CNN did not provide or script questions for anyone in last night’s town hall, nor have we ever,” the company said in a statement to TheWrap.
“After seeing an interview with Colton Haab, we invited him to participate in our town hall along with other students and administrators from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Colton’s father withdrew his name from participation before the forum began, which we regretted but respected. We welcome Colton to join us on CNN today to discuss his views on school safety.”