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May 15, 2005
Newsweek Lied...You Know the Rest...
Newsweek reported last week that U.S. soldiers had flushed a Koran down the toilet. Turns out the story wasn't true:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Newsweek magazine on Sunday said it may have erred in a May 9 report that said U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran at Guantanamo Bay, and apologized to victims of deadly violence sparked by the article.At least 15 people have died during violence sparked by the fake Newsweek story.
At minimum, Michael Isikoff and John Berry should be fired. They engaged in sloppy journalism and people died as a result. Evan Thomas, Newsweek's editor, should be asked to explain how all of the fact checkers let this story through. Thomas should also be called on the carpet for this pathetic attempt to explain the magazine's error. I think Ace has it right on the fact checking at Newsweek:
The media does in fact have an impressive fact-checking system.Instapundit has more.If a quote or purported fact portrays Republicans, the military, or America generally in a positive light, they check it to death to make sure they're not spreading propaganda.
But... if the quote or purpoted fact portrays those in a negative light, it pretty much gets into print with only the most cursory once-over by the editors. If it agrees with their basic world-view -- if it feels "right" in their gut -- then in runs.
Posted by slublog at May 15, 2005 07:29 PM
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