On Friday's World News Tonight, ABC's David Muir avoided mentioning the critics as he reported on the Obama administration removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Instead, Muir spotlighted how "President Obama [told] us back in December his plans to restore diplomatic ties with the Cuban government," and that during a January 2015 visit to the island country, "the children of Cuba [told] us they want to visit America." [video below]
By contrast, CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News both reported that Republican House Speaker John Boehner "criticized today's action, saying it gives the Castro regime a significant political win in return for nothing." However, the CBS and NBC evening newscasts, along with their ABC competitor, failed to identify the Cuban government as communist.
During his news brief, Muir touted that "today's decision clearing a major hurdle to allowing Americans to visit there soon," and continued with his "children of Cuba" line. CBS fill-in anchor Charlie Rose followed the ABC anchor's lead in noting that the move was a "key step towards restoring full diplomatic relations," but continued with his mention of Speaker Boehner. NBC's Lester Holt zeroed in on the "big announcement today from the White House, and even though it was expected, it's nonetheless stunning." Holt later noted that the "announcement was roundly criticized by Republicans."
There was a similar breakdown on the Spanish-language network evening newscasts. MundoFox followed ABC's example in ignoring Republican/conservative criticism of the Obama administration's move. Univision and Telemundo did point out GOP opposition in their reporting on the removal.
The transcripts of the Big Three evening newscasts' news briefs on Cuba on Friday:
05/29/2015
06:41 pm EDT
ABC – World News Tonight
DAVID MUIR: Now to Cuba – officially off the U.S. terror list tonight, for the first time in 30 years. President Obama telling us back in December his plans to restore diplomatic ties with the Cuban government. We traveled to Havana in January. Today's decision clearing a major hurdle to allowing Americans to visit there soon – the children of Cuba telling us they want to visit America.
05/29/2015
06:40 pm EDT
CBS Evening NewsCHARLIE ROSE: Today, the Obama administration formally removed Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. That is a key step towards restoring full diplomatic relations. House Speaker John Boehner criticized today's action, saying it gives the Castro regime a significant political win in return for nothing.
05/29/2015
07:11 pm EDT
NBC Nightly NewsLESTER HOLT: A big announcement today from the White House, and even though it was expected, it's nonetheless stunning after more than 30 years – today, the U.S. formally removed Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism. It comes as the two countries are moving to re-establish diplomatic relations after decades of tension. Today's announcement was roundly criticized by Republicans, with House Speaker John Boehner saying it gives the Castro regime – quote,' a significant political win in return for nothing.'
