If CNN truly did find his previously created content and identity relevant, why would an apology and a promise to never post again render his name unimportant? His identity is either newsworthy or it isn’t. It’s clear CNN’s primary concern here wasn’t the newsworthiness of a story, but publishing a threat against a random Reddit user and any others who may want to join in bashing CNN online. CNN’s story published several portions of apology notes from the man, most of which sound like hostage videos.

In one the Reddit user wrote, “To people who troll on the Internet for fun, consider your words and actions conveyed in your message and who it might upset or anger.” Translated: To people who troll on the Internet for fun, don’t piss off CNN, or they might come knocking one day.

By potentially exposing his identity, CNN knows they are threatening to set off a nuclear bomb in the middle of this man’s entire life. And he knows it, which may explain the level of desperation in his apologies. What would an Internet mob feeding frenzy look like on this scale? Justine Sacco’s life destroyed for one joking tweet would look tame in comparison.