Posted on 05/16/2005 11:37:33 AM PDT by pookie18
An unnamed former top government official told a Newsweek magazine reporter that his story, about a U.S. military guard at Guantanamo prison flushing a Koran down a toilet, was "a slam dunk," according to the latest apology from Newsweek editor Mark Whitaker.
The magazine's uncorroborated, single-source, hearsay report of the Koran desecration sparked riots in several Muslim countries, killing at least 15 and injuring perhaps 100.
While the magazine has apologized publicly to the riot victims and their families, Mr. Whitaker told the New York Times, "We're not retracting anything. We don't know what the ultimate facts are."
For those unschooled in professional journalistic ethics, Mr. Whitaker explained that a retraction demands a higher standard of evidence than an ordinary news item.
"You don't just rush to press with a retraction until you nail down the facts," he added.
Newsweek reporter Michael Isikoff said his anonymous source is now unsure where he got the Koran-flushing information, which was broadcast across the Arab world by Al-Jazeera and others.
"If there's a bright side to this story," said Mr. Whitaker. "At least our anonymous sources are safe, unharmed. And of course, our advertisers now know that Newsweek has great credibility in the Arab world, despite the bad feelings that Muslims have about America in general."
In an effort to help in the grieving process, the magazine's publisher said that immediate family members of the dead would receive a free 90-day trial subscription to Newsweek.
"If they're done grieving after 90 days, they can write 'cancel' on the invoice and pay nothing," he said. "Otherwise we'll just bill their credit cards in three easy installments at a substantial savings off the newstand price."
Yeah, but who got slammed?
For those unschooled in professional journalistic ethics, Mr. Whitaker explained that a retraction demands a higher standard of evidence than an ordinary news item.
LOL! That's good stuff.
I am immediately suspicious of any article quoting "unnamed sources", and any news article citing unnamed sources is not credible, IMO.
If the newsweak editors involved in this had any integrity whatsoever they would step down immediately instead of offering some half-assed apology that no one believes in the first place.
Somehow I *knew* this was Scrappleface just by looking at the headline.
I wish I had Scott Ott's sense of satire.
Ouch! That's got to hurt, but probably doesn't. It's all too real.
Ouch!
Al Jazeerweek.
Be sure to forward this link to Newsweak so they don't miss it!
Too bad they didn't think of this before they published.
Yet, one more example of the MSM's numerous layers of editors and fact checkers, that the bloggers just don't have!
Anti-Bush, Anti-Americanism is all fun until they cause 16 people to be killed.
Maybe Newsweek will get lucky and this will kill democracy in the Middle East, that would be a great win for them.
/Sarcasm
"An unnamed former top government official told a Newsweek magazine reporter that his story, about a U.S. military guard at Guantanamo prison flushing a Koran down a toilet, was "a slam dunk..."
unnamed former top government official = Howard Dean
Maybe newsweak should call that old cBS producer for advice...
Shut Newsweek down.
OK, ya got me. I was 3/4 done before I realized the source.
I like the Scrapple Face spin at the end. They always hook me before the reel me in. LOL!!!
In seriousness, I'd like to see Newsweek clean house over this. Killing people--gee that seems kinda bad, don't ya think?
It is clear their editorial staff consists of complete morons. Even the famous Isaicof (sp?) should have known better--A whole big book down a toilet?! ---Pleeeeeessse!!!!
LOL! Perfect.
"You don't just rush to press with a retraction until you nail down the facts," he added."
Translation: "Let's go ahead and print it, then make THEM provide the facts."
I wish I had Scott Ott's sense of satire.
Unfortunately, quite a few FReepers believe this to be real...
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