Jim Lehrer corrects himself

[Cocoa]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0427-08.htm

WASHINGTON - April 27 - After calls from FAIR activists to correct the record, PBS
NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer issued a correction during his April 26 broadcast regarding the
reason that the U.S. shut down the Iraqi newspaper Al-Hawza, which is affiliated with Shiite
cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr. The editor's note said:

"On our April 7 broadcast I made a mistake while running a discussion about Iraq. The issue
was why the U.S. had closed down a particular newspaper. In an attempt to clarify what a
guest had said, I stated it was because the paper had called for violence against Americans.
I should have said, that was the reason given by the coalition, that those running the paper
strongly deny it. I regret my mistake."

While the correction is welcome, Lehrer still seems unclear on what was actually said about
Al-Hawza. U.S. occupation spokesperson Dan Senor had told reporters (3/30/04) that
Al-Hawza "repeatedly uses rhetoric designed to incite violence against U.S. soldiers and
against the Iraqi people."

According to the New York Times (4/5/04), "the paper did not print any calls for attacks,"
though "the American authorities said false reporting, including articles that ascribed suicide
bombings to Americans, could touch off violence." The closure of the paper seemed to spark
an uprising by Al-Sadr's militia that continues to pose a serious challenge to the occupation.

While the actual content of the paper merits further reporting, FAIR appreciates that Lehrer
recognized the problematic nature of his original statement. And FAIR thanks the activists
who encouraged the NewsHour to set a high standard for accuracy.

[truthspeaker]

1. nice work, FAIR, and thx for (finally) being professional, Jim!

I almost feel bad about calling Lehrer a call girl. Almost.

[cybildisobedience]

2. don't

he has yet to attone for letting Bush off the hook during the debates with Al Gore, when he would rush in to rescue Bush when he was asked to come up with an answer, or account for his behavior, or explain a contradiction.
Lehrer was and is a shameless Bush whore who glorifies himself and his colleagues while ignoring their dereliction of duty.