Insisting that NPR "ignored its duty to prioritize information that was very much in the public interest", a spokesperson for CNN said that "it was extremely irresponsible (of NPR) to give violence in Damascus such overwhelming attention at the expense of letting the American people know how one of our most decorated generals cheated on his wife of 38 years."
"NPR really dropped the ball on this one," continued the spokesperson. "What is news-journalism coming to when filler material about 350 dead non-Americans is scheduled ahead of investigative reports into the life and background of Petraeus' mistress, Paula Broadwell?"
"The American public have a right to know about these things."
Airing a pointless, 15-minute critique of the al-Asaad regime, after only a cursory look into General Petraeus' subsequent feelings of guilt and regret, National Public Radio, says Fox News Anchor Shepard Smith, "compromised 42 years of integrity."
"Folks, this is what your tax dollars are being spent on: lazy, dumbed-down reporting that masquerades as news," said Smith. "The American people don't need to be bombarded with images of devastated city squares, or Syria's fatality statistics. Especially when we're just now getting word that FBI agents have entered Miss Broadwell's home. You heard me right, folks: they have entered Miss Broadwell's home."
Responding to the controversy, meanwhile, NPR officials drew further ire this afternoon when it was announced that crucial statements set to be given by Petraeus' wife, Holly, Wednesday would follow an hour-long report into the "uninspiring and outdated" topic of climate change.
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