Ex-ABC News reporter Terry Moran recently shared details about a significant alteration to his report regarding the COVID lab leak theory. This change reportedly occurred after the report was reviewed by Dr. Anthony Fauci. In an interview with ‘The Fifth Column’ podcast, Moran described his experience with what he felt was censorship at ABC, a network owned by Disney.

According to Moran, in early 2021, he noticed online discussions among credible individuals speculating that COVID might have originated from a lab leak. He received approval from ABC’s ‘Nightline’ to explore this theory. Moran engaged with various scientists and Trump administration officials for his report, which did not assert any conclusions but presented the information gathered.

Moran mentioned, “We broke a little news that the lab had received funding from the Chinese military, even though the ‘Bat Lady,’ Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, had denied it. We presented the details.” He felt it was more plausible that COVID had a natural origin but acknowledged the possibility of a lab leak.

The report was scheduled to air when it was significantly revised. Moran stated, “It came back to me as incomprehensible… I was livid and refused to proceed with it.” The changes were attributed to legal and standards departments, and reportedly Dr. Fauci, which left Moran outraged and frustrated. The final version, loaded with caveats, did not represent his work.

The segment, which aired in June 2021, examined COVID origins. Moran interviewed Jamie Metzl, a staunch advocate of the lab leak theory, but was outweighed by other experts dismissing it. ABC News reporters Sony Salzman and Sasha Pezenik also contributed, casting doubt on the lab leak idea.

Moran, who left ABC in 2025, criticized the vilification of Fauci, describing him as a dedicated public servant. Neither Fauci, Moran, nor ABC responded to requests for comments from Fox News Digital.

Fauci has reemerged due to diary entries released by Sen. Rand Paul revealing contradictions between his private thoughts and public statements on COVID. His interactions with media figures, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, were also highlighted.

The Senate Republicans recently voted to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress, following his frequent refusals during a hearing, led by Senator Rand Paul. The lab leak theory, now supported by U.S. agencies such as the CIA and FBI, stands as a prominent hypothesis alongside the persistent natural origin theory. This debate remains ongoing.