CNN has launched a new show, filmed in a lavish media compound funded by Qatar, a monarchy known for its strict controls on free speech and media. The program, called CNN Creators, features a team of young reporters exploring Doha and highlighting local culture, while avoiding any critical coverage of the host nation. Critics have accused CNN of producing content that amounts to sponsored promotion for Qatar, especially since the network's new offices and technical support are paid for by the Qatari government. Despite CNN's insistence on editorial independence, many observers and even some staff question whether the arrangement undermines journalistic standards, as the show has been widely mocked online for its fawning tone and lack of transparency.