CNN fires Pakistani journalist over anti-Semitic Tweets

Adeel Raja listed himself as a freelance contributor for CNN since 2013 on his LinkedIn page, tweeted the anti-Semitic remark at around 12:45 pm Sunday, and deleted it at around 3:15 pm.

In a since-deleted post, the journalist wrote, “The world today needs a Hitler”.

After learning off the post, CNN fired Raja.

CNN spokesman Matt Dornic stated, “In light of these abhorrent statements, he will not be working with CNN again in any capacity”.

“Adeel Raja has never been a CNN employee. As a freelancer, his reporting contributed to some newsgathering efforts from Islamabad,” Dornic added.

In July 2014, Raja also voiced his support for Germany’s soccer team in a tweet during the FIFA World Cup, writing, “The only reason I am supporting Germany in the finals – Hitler was a German and he did good with those Jews!”

A tweet the next day said, “Hail Hitler!”

Meanwhile, Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar backing Adeel Raja on twitter wrote, “Losing CNN job for Adeel raja is less of a financial loss for him than for CNN losing credibility for impartiality in journalism”.

#AdeelRaja loses @CNN job for expressing outrage over Israeli atrocities against Palestinians.#GazaUnderAttak #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/DQ5soQxZti

— Arshad Sharif (@arsched) May 17, 2021

In 2016, he won the Agahi Award for Investigative Journalist of the Year, according to his Twitter account. The Agahi Awards are an annual series of awards for journalism in Pakistan