The Republic of Tea
The Newsweek Blame Game
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
So today I found out that my blog was featured last night on MSNBC's Connected: Coast to Coast, in a report that attempted to shift blame from the fallout of a Newsweek article on the desecration of the Holy Quran, to our own Imran Khan. You can download the video here. Presenter Tony Maciulis, a senior producer for MSBC, says "At the center [of the story], by almost all reports is not Michael Isakoff of Newsweek or an un-named source at the Pentagon, but this man (flash to Imran Khan mugshot)." Everything falls into place when you realize that MSNBC is the TV news partner of print magazine Newsweek. Clever trick.
Newsweek is getting burned right and left for its reporting of the desecration of the Holy Quran in the United States and for subsequent damage caused to the US-led War on Terror. The US Govt. and has since denied that any such desecration took place and has condemned Newsweek for the report. Note, that there’s nothing to go by, except the administration’s tainted word, that a desecration did not take place.
As for the widely read news magazine, if history is any guide, heads will roll. Recall Bill Rather of CBS and the New York Times scandals. Its not surprising that the magazine is attempting to shift the blame to others. The logic of their argument is a bit strange though. In simple terms It amounts to blaming Imran Khan (and everyone else) for believing what was reported, and then saying something about it. Imran Khan is a minister of Parliament in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He’s actually one of the few ministers who actually did their jobs as a Muslim leader.
If Newsweek misreported, they should take responsibility for it. But at the moment, they’ve offered no serious apologies except for a cautious retraction under pressure from the US Administration. But like I said, the desecration may still easily have taken place.
Newsweek is getting burned right and left for its reporting of the desecration of the Holy Quran in the United States and for subsequent damage caused to the US-led War on Terror. The US Govt. and has since denied that any such desecration took place and has condemned Newsweek for the report. Note, that there’s nothing to go by, except the administration’s tainted word, that a desecration did not take place.
As for the widely read news magazine, if history is any guide, heads will roll. Recall Bill Rather of CBS and the New York Times scandals. Its not surprising that the magazine is attempting to shift the blame to others. The logic of their argument is a bit strange though. In simple terms It amounts to blaming Imran Khan (and everyone else) for believing what was reported, and then saying something about it. Imran Khan is a minister of Parliament in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He’s actually one of the few ministers who actually did their jobs as a Muslim leader.
If Newsweek misreported, they should take responsibility for it. But at the moment, they’ve offered no serious apologies except for a cautious retraction under pressure from the US Administration. But like I said, the desecration may still easily have taken place.
posted by doodpathi, 6:04 PM
