ABC News has suspended Matt Gutman, the chief national correspondent for the network, after he erroneously reported that all of Kobe Bryant’s children were involved in the fatal crash that took his life and that of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Before Gianna’s death was confirmed, Gutman said during a live report that Bryant’s other daughters — Natalia, 17; Bianka, 3 and Capri, 7 months — were on the helicopter as well. He later corrected the error and apologized, writing on Twitter, “Today I inaccurately reported it was believed that four of Kobe Bryant’s children were on board that flight. That is incorrect. I apologize to Kobe’s family, friends and our viewers.”
An ABC News representative confirmed his suspension to The Los Angeles Times, telling the paper, “Reporting the facts accurately is the cornerstone of our journalism. As he acknowledged on Sunday, Matt Gutman’s initial reporting was not accurate and failed to meet our editorial standards.”
“We are in the business of holding people accountable,” Gutman added. “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.”
The ABC rep did not reveal the length of Gutman’s suspension. Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa, as well as Natalia, Bianka and Capri.
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