CNN+ Producer Begs Critics to ‘Be Kind’ Rather Than Tweet Something Snarky About Failed Streaming Platform

With the plug being pulled on the CNN+ streaming service at the end of the month, many who were involved in the project are struggling to come to grips with reality.

One producer for the streaming service, Ellie Smith, tweeted out a “public service announcement” begging for sympathy in their time of distress.

“PSA if you’re going to tweet something snarky about CNN+, hundreds of journalists and technicians who did nothing but work their tails off just had the rug pulled out from under them,” Smith explained.

Smith then urged, “So be kind.”

Critics, however, will have to be forgiven if they don’t necessarily want to “be kind.”

One reminded Smith of the way CNN treated Nick Sandmann and the Covington Catholic High School students.

“Tough to feel sympathy for grown adults trying to ruin the lives of some 17 year olds because they were wearing a hat that the ‘adults’ didn’t like,” he responded.

Tough to feel sympathy for grown adults trying to ruin the lives of some 17 year olds because they were wearing a hat that the “adults” didn’t like

— BostonFan_Defiant! (@Big_Bob_BOS) April 21, 2022

Another Twitter user, Will Harter, told Smith, “Yeah, I’m sure if this was happening to Fox Nation, this is what the corporate press would be doing.”

Yeah, I’m sure if this was happening to Fox Nation, this is what the corporate press would be doing.

— Will Harter (@willisfx88) April 21, 2022

Twitter user “Upstate Federalist” reminded Smith of another instance of CNN’s lack of sympathy for certain situations.

“Hey remember when you guys championed shutting people’s businesses down and causing tens of thousands of people to get laid off with no discussion allowed about the consequences of those things? Anyway, hate to see what happened to you guys today,” they stressed.

Hey remember when you guys championed shutting people’s businesses down and causing tens of thousands of people to get laid off with no discussion allowed about the consequences of those things?

Anyway, hate to see what happened to you guys today.

— Upstate Federalist (@upstatefederlst) April 21, 2022

NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly, however, offered her sympathy in a tweet where she said, “Sending strong thoughts to the journalists & friends who poured their talents & energy into creating something brave and new at CNN+. Here’s to the next chapter.”

Sending strong thoughts to the journalists & friends who poured their talents & energy into creating something brave and new at CNN+. Here’s to the next chapter. https://t.co/sJs9N0FeeS

— Mary Louise Kelly (@NPRKelly) April 21, 2022