Journalist slams CNN, MSNBC and Fox for pushing 'terrorism expert industrial complex'

Journalist and documentarian Jeremy Scahill confronted CNN International host Hala Gorani on Tuesday with his harsh criticism of both some world leaders showing solidarity toward France and her network's handling of the recent terrorist attacks in the country.

"Hypocrisy was on full display on Sunday, with all of these world leaders; many of them are enemies of the press, themselves," Scahill said. "I also think that CNN and MSNBC and Fox are engaging in the terrorism expert industrial complex. You have people on as paid analysts that are largely frauds who have made a lot of money off of portraying themselves as terror experts, and have no actual on-the-ground experience."

Several nations who took part in Sunday's rally supporting the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in the wake of the attacks -- including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Russia -- have been criticized for their own records regarding freedom of the press.

Scahill did not mention specific "frauds" he believes have appeared on any of the three news networks. But both Fox News and CNN have come under criticism this week.

Fox contributor Steven Emerson was blasted online and by British Prime Minister David Cameron earlier this week for stating that the English city of Birmingham was "totally Muslim." And CNN host Don Lemon was roundly mocked after asking a Muslim human rights attorney, Arsalan Iftikhar, if he supported the Islamic State extremist group.

However, Scahill, an editor at The Intercept and producer of the documentary Dirty Wars, told Gorani that he still respected her work.

"I listen when you speak, because I think you're credible," he told her. "Some of your paid analysts that you have on this network or other networks, basically are just making money off of the claim that they're experts on terrorism and really don't have the scholarly background or on-the-ground experience to justify being on your network or any other network."

Gorani then moved quickly to end the interview.

"I respect your opinion. This is why I like having you on," she told Scahill. "You certainly speak your mind, and we appreciate your analysis, even though I don't always agree with you. Thanks very much."

Watch the interview, as posted online on Tuesday, below.