Mike Brown Shooting: Bloggers to Blame For Ferguson Unrest, Says Don Lemon

It looks like Don Lemon may be a glutton for punishment.

Days after dishing out some questionable advice to an alleged Bill Cosby rape victim and telling the world that he could "smell marijuana in the air" while reporting from Ferguson, the controversial CNN anchor has put his foot in it once again.

Not one to mince his words, Lemon sensationally claimed that bloggers are to blame for the growing unrest in Ferguson, Missouri because they acted as "outside agitators".

The St Louis suburb has descended into anarchy and violent protests ever since news broke that a grand jury had ruled not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of unarmed teenager Mike Brown on 9 August.

"OK, here's the thing that people at home should understand. So there is this outrage that everyone thinks is out there. Most of that outrage is coming from the Internet and social media. When you actually come here on the ground and the people who are actual protesters...most of them peaceful," he explained at a press conference.

The 48-year-old journalist, who has been reporting on the violence in Ferguson, went on to assert that the real troublemakers were "people who are trying to make a name for themselves".

"People who want you to follow them on Twitter; or follow their blog; or follow them on livestream. So when we came in, we were confronted by a blogger; when the Rev. Al Sharpton came in, we were confronted by a blogger for questions that had nothing to do with the situation here about personal issues, or whatever.

"It has nothing to do with anything — not respectful of the situation. So they come in, they stick a camera in your face: 'Do you want to comment about this, what do you have to say about that.' And, what do you do?"

He added: "These were bloggers and as many people are calling them, 'outside agitators' That's where the commotion is coming from. Don't go thinking that "everyone here is pissed off and angry or what have you. It's the people who are online who are taking things out of context. Those are the people who are really creating the stir."

Within minutes social media users accused him of shifting the blame and promoting his own agenda.

Lemon's popularity has dropped drastically as his controversial comments continue to polarise critics.

Earlier this week, CNN was hit with a barrage of complaints following Lemon's insensitive reporting from outside Ferguson police station.

"Maybe a minute, two minutes ago we heard a gunshot and watched people scattering. And we're watching people on the roofs of cars," he said before adding "Obviously there's a smell of marijuana here as well."

He also dropped some divisive gems when he insinuated that Joan Tarshis could have bitten Cosby's penis to avoid giving him oral sex. He later apologised for his behaviour.