Thoughts from Aaron of Court House

Monday, May 16, 2005

An "innocent" mistake?

Because of faulty reporting in the Newsweek, 13 people have been killed and
more than 100 have been injured. And do they appologize. . . well sort of.


"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," Whitaker
wrote in the magazine's latest issue, due to appear on U.S. newsstands on
Monday."

However,


"Newsweek, which said opponents of the Afghan government including remnants of
the Taliban had used its report to fan unrest in the country, said it was not
contemplating disciplinary action against staff."

and,

"This was reported very carefully, with great sensitivity and concern, and
we'll continue to report on it," said Newsweek Managing Editor Jon Meacham. "We
have tried to be transparent about exactly what happened, and we leave it to the
readers to judge us."

Apparenlty not carefully enough for it to be correct? And they are going to continue to report? Aren't innocent lives a bit more important than selling your magazine? Is it possible that you should clam up on this one a bit until some of this stuff blows over? I mean seriously you don't just report and then let the chips fall where the may. You've got to know whatthe reactions to your actions are going to be. Maybe it's just late, and I'm ticked. . I don't know . . . am I over reacting?

1 Comments:

  • No you are not, you are right on. The media is more concerned about being "first" and being "ground breaking" than it is about being "correct!" The soldiers lives are seen as the vehicle to conquer the Middle East, while they write stories about it regardless of the outcome. These people have names, families, children that Newsweek should be appologizing to. It is kinda like what happened with the prison abuse scandal. People were crying to see the other pictures, not caring about the affect it would have on those fighting over in that part of the world. Not only is media to blame, but the American culture that is obssessed with violence and gossip.

    By Blogger Mike Cline, at 9:23 AM  

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