Neugebauer: House Resolution Calling For Responsible Journalism

[Career Prole]

Press release (no link yet)
This is what Perry and DeLay's gerrymandering stuck me with instead of my Dem. :puke:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 18, 2005


Neugebauer Introduces House Resolution Calling For

Responsible Journalism



Washington, DC- In light of a recent article that falsely accused United States officials of desecrating a copy of the Koran, Congressman Randy Neugebauer introduced a Concurrent Resolution Wednesday that calls on the American media to be more responsible and more accurate in their reporting.



"Congress, as the representative body of the American people, has an obligation to be the collective voice of those they represent, and most Americans don't have a great deal of faith in what the media reports," Neugebauer said. "Recently, there have been several instances that have contributed to this lack of faith. We have seen false reporting make its way into the pages and news shows of America's leading media outlets. In the past, irresponsible or inaccurate journalism has resulted in an erosion of public trust in the press, resignations, or embarrassment for the particular media outlet or the target of the story. However, the U.S. media has a global reach, and the consequences of their reports are becoming more serious. Now, as was seen last week, lives can be lost because of irresponsible and inaccurate journalism. Because a free and independent press that accurately reports the affairs of this country is necessary to the security of our democracy, I urge the media to put more emphasis on getting the story right rather than getting it first."



A Concurrent Resolution conveys the overall sense of the Congress, but is not binding and creates no new law or legal authority if agreed to.



TITLE and TEXT of the Neugebauer Resolution:



Condemning irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, expressing condolences to the victims and families of the victims of the riots in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and for other purposes.



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Condemning irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, expressing condolences to the victims and families of the victims of the riots in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and for other purposes.



"Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects and encourages freedom of the press; whereas a free, independent, and objective media is necessary for the maintenance of liberty; whereas journalists bear a responsibility to the people of the United States to provide accurate information; whereas a free and independent media must enjoy the trust of the people;



"Whereas the prevalent media culture encourages journalists to 'get the story first' rather than to ensure that reports are accurate and factual; whereas continuing revelations of inaccurate and irresponsible reports by the media have called into question the integrity and responsibility of the institution of journalism;



"Whereas inaccurate and irresponsible reports by the media have real-life consequences; whereas on May 9, 2005, an American news magazine erroneously and irresponsibly reported that officials of the Government of the United States desecrated a copy of the Koran during the interrogation of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; whereas the article incited riots in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan that led to the deaths of at least 17 people; whereas the article unnecessarily inflamed passions against the United States in a critical region of the world;



"Whereas the article may have unnecessarily complicated efforts by the Government of the United States to prosecute the War on Terror in certain regions of the world; whereas the article may have unnecessarily placed the lives of Americans in danger in those regions of the world; whereas the article represents only the most recent and egregious example of irresponsible and inaccurate journalism in the American media;



"Whereas continued irresponsible and inaccurate journalism may unnecessarily damage and erode the reputation of the United States and its people in other countries and regions of the world; and whereas continued irresponsible and inaccurate journalism could have unforeseen adverse consequences for American foreign policy:



"Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress (1) expresses condolences to the victims of the riots in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and their families; (2) deplores and condemns the continued irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, the most egregious example of which caused riots that led to the deaths of at least 17 people in Pakistan and Afghanistan; and (3) deplores and condemns the prevalent media culture that encourages irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, and calls upon the media to exercise due diligence and caution when preparing reports that could jeopardize innocent human lives."

429 Cannon HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515

[phone], fax [phone]

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Grandstanding.

n/t

[democrat_patriot]

2. OK, I guess we need to email him the facts.

We HAVE desecrated the Koran you imbecile. The pentagon says so, released prisoners (not too credible granted)....

[Career Prole]

3. Sent this to the reporter who showed me the press release...

Note the Newsweek editor’s carefully worded "retraction" (emphasis mine). Whitaker's not denying the desecration at all which is a good thing, since most folks around the world believe it happened and happened often.

Editor's Note: On Monday afternoon, May 16, Whitaker issued the following statement: Based on what we know now, we are retracting our original story that an internal military investigation had uncovered Qur'an abuse at Guantanamo Bay.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7857154/site/newsweek/

[CoolOnion]

4. Tell him to go after FOX first