The death of Kobe Bryant rocked the nation and many online criticized various media outlets for providing false information on deaths of people who were not on board the crashed helicopter.
One of those networks under scrutiny was ABC News as their correspondent Matt Gutman said on air all four of Bryant’s daughters were on board. Full reports would emerge revealing only one daughter, Gianna, was on board. In response, ABC News has suspended Gutman.
“Reporting the facts accurately is the cornerstone of our journalism,” an ABC News spokesperson said to CNN. “As he acknowledged on Sunday, Matt Gutman’s initial reporting was not accurate and failed to meet our editorial standards.”
Gutman would also release a statement on his mistake:
“We are in the business of holding people accountable. And I hold myself accountable for a terrible mistake, which I deeply regret. I want to personally apologize to the Bryant family for this wrenching loss and any additional anguish my report caused.”
Matt Gutman
