May 16, 2005
Sorry We're with the Taliban
Newsweek lied People died.
NEW YORK - In an apology to readers this week, Newsweek acknowledged errors in a story alleging U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Quran. The accusations, which the magazine vowed to re-examine, spawned protests in Afghanistan that left 15 dead and scores injured.Posted by jk at May 16, 2005 11:19 AM
ADVERTISEMENTResponding to harsh criticism from Muslim leaders worldwide, the Pentagon promised to investigate the charges and pinned the deadly clashes on Newsweek for what it described as "irresponsible" reporting.
"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in its midst," Editor Mark Whitaker wrote in the apology.
Glenn Reynolds writes: (found at http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/000587.html Great cartoon, BTW) "If a blogger had made a similar mistake, with similar consequences, we'd be hearing about Big Media's superior fact-checking and layers of editors." And, "Really, I don't want to hear another word about the superior "responsibility" of Big Media. Not one more word."
Excellent observations.
Posted by: johngalt at May 16, 2005 2:42 PMIt seems a devastating blow to Newsweek's credibility.
Really, as only the Taliban found their coverage credible, to lose this key demographic will really trash their reputation...
Posted by: jk at May 16, 2005 4:20 PM | What do you think? [2]