CNN sued in Beijing over 'goons' comment

Fourteen Chinese lawyers have filed a lawsuit in Beijing’s Chaoyang District People’s Court against CNN over remarks made by commentator Jack Cafferty on April 9, the South China Morning Post reported. The plaintiffs, from Huanzhong Partners law firm in Beijing, alleged in filed documents that Cafferty had "severely infringed our reputation and dignity" and "caused serious harm to us spritually and psychologically." Cafferty’s comments that the Chinese were "the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years" prompted government calls for an official apology from CNN. In its apology, the news network said Cafferty’s remarks were referring to the Chinese government and not the Chinese people. The apology was rejected by the Foreign Ministry.