Too Little Too Late for Newsweek Retraction

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FOR NEWSWEEK RETRACTION -- (House of Representatives - May 17, 2005)

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my displeasure that Newsweek magazine published an inaccurate and irresponsible story that led to a deadly protest in Afghanistan.

The May 9 edition of Newsweek reported that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay used unreasonable and unacceptable methods to make Muslim detainees talk. These methods purportedly included the desecration of the Koran. Now Newsweek is apologizing for running the story, saying their "official government source" is unsure of the information he supplied to the magazine.

Madam Speaker, it is too little, too late for an apology and retraction.

While Newsweek has done the right thing by retracting their story, it cannot retract the irrefutable damage that has been done. Sixteen people died for no reason at all. Our brave men and women in uniform are now at greater risk. Furthermore, our country's image has been tarnished in the eyes of the Muslim community across the globe.

Media outlets must be sure to check their facts and get their story straight. We want and need a free press, but we must have a responsible press.

On balance, our media usually does an outstanding job of keeping the American people informed. I hope others will learn from this tragic mistake.

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