Hotel chain blocks CNN

COLUMBIA, Mo., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A chain of 10 hotels in Missouri and other Midwestern states has blocked CNN over the cable channel's airing of video of snipers shooting U.S. soldiers.

The Stoney Creek Hospitality Corp. blocked CNN and CNN Headline News earlier this month, the Columbia Missourian reported.

"It's my corporation and as a business matter it may not have been the smartest decision I made," said James Thompson, the company president. "But as a concerned citizen, I just couldn't see providing content like that to my patrons."

CNN aired video Oct. 18 that had been provided through intermediaries by the Islamic Army, showing snipers firing at U.S. forces. CNN argues that it made a legitimate news decision, but detractors accused it of airing anti-American propaganda.

Stoney Creek has hotels in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin as well as Missouri.