Former ABC Journalist Alleges Report on COVID Lab Leak Theory Was Altered

Terry Moran, a former correspondent for ABC News, has made notable allegations about his past employer. He claims that ABC News significantly altered a report he created on the COVID lab leak theory after consulting with Dr. Anthony Fauci.

During an interview with “The Fifth Column” podcast, Moran recounted feelings of censorship at the Disney-owned network. In 2021, he noticed discussions online suggesting that COVID-19 may have originated from a lab. ABC’s “Nightline” greenlighted him to develop a story on this theory.

Moran interviewed scientists and Trump administration officials. He conveyed that while his report did not draw definitive conclusions, it presented the theory comprehensively.

We broke a little news that that lab had been funded by the Chinese military, despite the ‘Bat Lady’ [Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli] saying no, it hadn’t… And we kind of laid it out,” Moran said. “And at the end of the day, my own personal feeling was, you know, it’s probably a little bit more likely it’s natural. But if you told me it had leaked from the lab, fine. It’s probably not cooked up. It’s probably not a ‘Frankenvirus,’

Moran described significant changes made to his report on the day it was set to air, rendering it “incomprehensible.” He attributed these alterations to lawyers and network standards, mentioning Fauci’s involvement.

He expressed frustration over the modifications, stating, “I have never watched that story and never want to because it wasn’t mine… it was incomprehensible.” Moran also mentioned that a version of the script was purportedly sent to Fauci for review.

The segment eventually aired in June 2021. It highlighted debates over COVID’s origins. Jamie Metzl, a WHO committee member, was featured discussing the possibility of a lab leak but other experts countered that theory. Included were ABC’s own investigative reporters who expressed skepticism toward the lab leak theory.

Moran, who left ABC News in 2025, condemned the negative portrayal of Fauci. He called it unjust and labeled Fauci as a dedicated public servant. None of the involved parties, including ABC News, responded to Fox News Digital for comment.

Recent weeks have seen Fauci back in the spotlight due to diaries released by Sen. Rand Paul. These writings reveal discrepancies between Fauci’s private thoughts and public statements about COVID health guidelines. Senate Republicans have taken steps to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the fifth amendment frequently during a recent hearing, and a referral was made to the Department of Justice.

The lab leak theory has gained traction with several U.S. agencies like the CIA, FBI, and Department of Energy endorsing it as the probable origin of the COVID pandemic. Conversely, many scientists support the “natural origin” theory. The debate on COVID’s origins persists.