FNC rips CNN for irresponsibly and prematurely announcing Danny Pearl's death

Fox News Channel ^ | 2/1/02 | Fox

[spycatcher]

Tony Snow asked the roundtable about it -- then had to call the wolves off because he didn't want it to end up with everyone "bashing CNN" for their bogus reporting.

They were amazed that CNN would go with what was just some hoax email when the stakes were so high, and except that Mort figured CNN was getting desperate to make some news.

I compare it to someone from the Howard Stern show calling CNN with a Pakistani accent and CNN going live with the report of whatever they said. Obvious it makes for "sexy" breaking news in CNN's eyes.

[BlessedBeGod]

Just what his wife needs to miscarry the baby.

[Republic]

Glad to know that, thanks. You know, she is sitting out there somewhere right now, having no doubt heard that CNN's report was later deemed premature and false, probably dazed and aching from at first hearing earlier today that her husband, whom she has been so worried about, so crushed upon seeing the gun to his head, his powerlessness in the face of arab thugs, had, indeedmurdered. CNN caused her the greatest anguish of all.....you cannot go lower.

I hate CNN for causing this pain. And for what, RATINGS? They would put even ONE HUMAN BEING thru such an atrocious nightmare (and mind you, this woman is PREGNANT with their very first child) makes me want to put a bumper sticker on my car saying 'CNN is the CLINTON NEWS NETWORK-where trashing citizens is a way of life'.

[Cinnamon Girl]

ABC is reporting some of the text of the email in question:

CNN said it received an e-mail from those purportedly holding Pearl, saying he had been killed. In the e-mail, Pearl's alleged kidnappers said he was killed as "collateral damage" for the people in Afghanistan the United States had killed in the war on terrorism.

"It seems that the American government is not interested even in the life of its own citizens," the e-mail said. "We have killed Mr. Danny now Mr. Bush can find his body in the grave yards of Karachi we have thrown him there"

Steve Goldstein, spokesman for Dow Jones, which owns the Journal, said, "We've seen the latest reports, and we remain hopeful they are not true."

picture of Daniel and Marianne Pearl

[rvoitier]

Hell! Even Drudge held off on the siren.

[hchutch]

Personally, if I were a subscriber, I'd cancel if they did that.

On the other hand, had they taken said money, and paid it to some former SEAL to "take care" of the guys who had kidnapped the reporter, or if they'd offered a price on the heads of the folks who kidnapped their reporter, I'd subscribe for life.

[BunnySlippers]

Do you know what CNN's actual words were? It possible to say someone is "missing" but "dead" requires evidence like a body ... I understood that they reported the email making a "claim" that Pearl was killed. That is different that actually declaring him dead.

[spycatcher]

Yep, a lawyer could argue that CNN actually caused more mental anguish and emotional distress than the kidnappers did up to this point. Hopefully someone takes some statements ASAP from her friends/family/doctor who saw her grief after the CNN report -- espcially important if she has a miscarriage.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yep, I remember the Operation Tailwind story. As a parting shot, the reporters who got canned said, "We stand by our story." The lead reporters and CNN staff didn't show the slightest bit of remorse, all they did was read canned statements that their lawyers gave them. What a bunch of rodents.

What really made me mad was that they took the filmed statements of Vietnam vets and creatively edited them so that it looked like they were confirming the story when they were actually saying that it didn't happen. Baseless accusations are bad enough, but I really got mad when I saw how the videos of veterans were edited to radically change the context. CNN is seriously slimy.

[BunnySlippers]

CNN ARE WORLD CLASS MAJOR LEAGUE IDIOTS. DRUDGE STILL HAS THEIR CLAIM ON HIS SITE. I PRAY THEY LET DANIEL GO.

I've looked all over Drudge and CNN and the only claim being made is that an EMAIL was received that claimed he was killed. THAT'S TRUE!!! What has CNN lied about? Drudge is not saying CNN has said Pearl is dead ... CNN's site doesn't say he's dead. Just that an email was received saying that he was killed. That is TRUTHFUL reporting. Let's be fair at least.

[BJClinton]

Pakistani officials made further suggestions of Indian involvement

India challenges Pakistan about reporter

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has asked Pakistan to supply the names of Indian government officials which Islamabad alleged had been telephoned by the chief suspect in the abduction of U.S. reporter Daniel Pearl.

"Let them come up with the names," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said, adding the Indian government had received no communication from Pakistan about the alleged calls to the three officials.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said during a visit to Berlin that mobile phone records showed the suspected kidnapper of the Bombay-based Wall Street Journal reporter had been in touch with "persons who occupied certain important positions inside the Indian government".

India on Thursday branded Pakistan's allegations of an Indian link to the kidnapping "ridiculous". Pearl's captors have threatened to kill him unless the United States frees Pakistani prisoners from the Afghan war.

India and Pakistan are locked in a dangerous military stand-off along their common border over New Delhi's accusations that Pakistan sponsors cross-border terrorism, a charge Islamabad rejects.

[dfwgator]

CNN has a long way to go to match ABC on the day Reagan was shot, when they erroneously said that Jim Brady had died.

[spycatcher]

Sorry to say but you don't go with that as news unless you can confirm the source of the email.

Again, if a Howard Stern fan called CNN with an accent and said they killed the reporter, would you make the decision to go live with breaking news that "CNN has recieved a phone call reporting that the kidnapped reporter Danny pearl is now dead. Our condolences go out to his pregnant wife."

[Cinnamon Girl]

Daniel Pearl CNN video biography

Since most of the major media outlets have been receiving the real hostage emails, it sounds like CNN's choice to run with this particular, unsubstantiated one was considered premature. The Pakastani police have been searching at the locations referred to in the email to follow up on it.

[MeekOneGOP]

I think Fox News is being insensitive to CNNs plight.

CNN made their own bed. Now they have to sleep in it. . .

[My Favorite Headache]

[BunnySlippers]

Sorry to say but you don't go with that as news unless you can confirm the source of the email.

You keep asserting that CNN said that Pearl is dead. They said an email was received that said he was killed. An email was received that said he was dead. That is correct but they are not saying he is actually daed.

An email (source not confirmed) also said he was kidnapped a few days ago. Every news source rightly said that an email was received saying that he was kidnapped. That is correct.

Now supposedly $2 million is being asked for (again no one can verify the source) ... You're just PO'd at CNN, but unjustifiably this time.

[Timesink]

They do have Paula Zahn,who, in my opinion, beats ED Donahay...in terms of looks anyway...

Philistine!

[mtman]

Here is what CNN is saying now: Kidnappers' claims could be a hoax, ...Ahhh...I see now...CNN is a victim!

[Timesink]

Personally, if I were a subscriber, I'd cancel if they did that.

I figure that when it comes to any monetary ransom, they're probably listening to the CIA's recommendations.

[BJClinton]

Do you know what CNN's actual words were?

I can't find it on their web site. I assume the'd take it down after being roasted by Fox.