CNN in its efforts to grab as much media attention for itself has sunk to a new low. I know, you didn't think that was possible, but they did.  Their "reporters" were sitting around listening to police scanners when they heard the radio transmissions on a United States Coast Guard frequency. They mistakenly reported a training exercise as a live-fire event. 

CBS news reported on their website the transmissions of the exercise overheard by the lounging CNN personnel. From reviewing the website, the overheard portion of the training exercise lasted three and one-half minutes. The last transmission was "_____ out of play, _____ out of play, break scenario, break scenario, break".

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/09/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5304154.shtml  

Following is a copy of the letter I wrote to CNN regarding this incident:
“There was a time when good journalism meant checking your facts before you broadcast it to the world. It is unfortunate that those days are gone and the race for ratings and money has taken control. I refer to the Coast Guard training exercise on the Potomac on Sept 11, 2009 that CNN mistakenly reported as an actual incident. You actions, not those of the fine men and women of the USCG, that caused concern, caused the shut down of Reagan International ground traffic, caused renewed grief and terror among the people around our nation and its capitol.

Your organization needs to review its policies and procedures as it troops steadily toward television’s version of The National Inquirer.”