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The '''Jamil Hussein controversy''' (also called '''Jamilgate'''<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2006/12/04/jamilgate-nyt-circles-the-wagons-for-the-ap/ "Jamilgate: NYT circles the wagons for the AP"], ''HotAir'', 4 December 2006</ref> and the '''Burning Six'''<ref>[http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/185616.php "Why the AP 'Burning Six' Scandal Remains Largely Unreported"],''The Jawa Report'', 6 December 2006</ref> '''controversy''') involves the use by some [[Associated Press]] reporters of possible fake sources in its reporting on [[Iraq]]. In at least one case, an entire story is claimed to be false - a story which stated in part that six people were burned alive and four mosques were destroyed in Hurriya, a neighborhood of [[Baghdad]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2678640 "Insurgents Gun Down 21 Shiites in Iraq"], ABC News, 25 November 2006</ref>
The '''Jamil Hussein controversy''' (also called '''Jamilgate'''<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2006/12/04/jamilgate-nyt-circles-the-wagons-for-the-ap/ "Jamilgate: NYT circles the wagons for the AP"], ''HotAir'', 4 December 2006</ref> and the '''Burning Six'''<ref>[http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/185616.php "Why the AP 'Burning Six' Scandal Remains Largely Unreported"],''The Jawa Report'', 6 December 2006</ref> '''controversy''') involves the use by some [[Associated Press]] reporters of possible fake sources in its reporting on [[Iraq]]. In at least one case, an entire story is claimed to be false - a story which stated in part that six people were burned alive and four mosques were destroyed in Hurriya, a neighborhood of [[Baghdad]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2678640 "Insurgents Gun Down 21 Shiites in Iraq"], ABC News, 25 November 2006</ref>


The scandal erupted after [[Multinational Force Iraq|Multi-National Force - Iraq]], responding to the Hurriya story, said they could find no confirmation of people being burned, and that only one mosque had sustained minor damage due to fire.<ref>[http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7540&Itemid=21 One Mosque Burned in Hurriya] Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Press Release No. 20061125-09, Nov. 25, 2006</ref>. It was noted at the [[Flopping Aces]] blog that the only named source for the story was '''Jamil Hussein''', and that it appeared that he was not an Iraqi police officer as claimed in this news story and others like it. Apart from issues of journalistic integrity, the concern was that Hussein might be an insurgent using AP to spread [[disinformation]] in the media.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ "Getting The News From The Enemy"] ''Flopping Aces'', 25 November 2006</ref>
The scandal erupted after [[Multinational Force Iraq|Multi-National Force - Iraq]], responding to the Hurriya story, said they could find no confirmation of people being burned, and that only one mosque had sustained minor damage due to fire.<ref>[http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7540&Itemid=21 One Mosque Burned in Hurriya] Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Press Release No. 20061125-09, Nov. 25, 2006</ref>. It was noted at the [[Flopping Aces]] blog that the only named source for the story was '''Jamil Hussein''', and that there was no evidence that he was an Iraqi police officer as claimed. Apart from issues of journalistic integrity, the concern was that Hussein might be an insurgent using AP to spread [[disinformation]] in the media.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ "Getting The News From The Enemy"] ''Flopping Aces'', 25 November 2006</ref>


According to AP, Jamil Hussein is a police captain with an office at the Yarmouk police station in western Baghdad<ref>[http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003466311 "AP Replies to New Claims Against Disputed Story -- Iraqis Say They Will Now Monitor Media"], ''Editor and Publisher'', 30 November 2006</ref>, and more recently in the al-Khadra district<ref>[http://www.ap.org/response/response_112806a.html "AP Statement about unfounded attacks on its story about an immolation attack"], "The Associated Press", 28 November 2006</ref>. He has been cited as a police source in 61 AP stories from [[April 24]], [[2006]] to [[November 25]], [[2006]]<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/12/03/who-is-qais-albashir/ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?"] ''Flopping Aces'', 3 December 2006</ref>, and was said to have been "a regular source of police information for two years"<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-11-28-iraq-fire_x.htm "Witnesses detail immolation attack on six Sunnis in Baghdad last week"], ''USA Today'', 28 November 2006</ref>, but an Iraqi official stated he is not on their list of Interior Ministry employees.
According to AP, Jamil Hussein is a police captain with an office at the Yarmouk police station in western Baghdad<ref>[http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003466311 "AP Replies to New Claims Against Disputed Story -- Iraqis Say They Will Now Monitor Media"], ''Editor and Publisher'', 30 November 2006</ref>, and more recently in the al-Khadra district<ref>[http://www.ap.org/response/response_112806a.html "AP Statement about unfounded attacks on its story about an immolation attack"], "The Associated Press", 28 November 2006</ref>. He has been cited as a police source in 61 AP stories from [[April 24]], [[2006]] to [[November 25]], [[2006]]<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/12/03/who-is-qais-albashir/ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?"] ''Flopping Aces'', 3 December 2006</ref>, and was said to have been "a regular source of police information for two years"<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-11-28-iraq-fire_x.htm "Witnesses detail immolation attack on six Sunnis in Baghdad last week"], ''USA Today'', 28 November 2006</ref>, however an Iraqi official stated he is not on their list of Interior Ministry employees.


Besides Jamil Hussein, another source used in many AP articles is police Lt. Maithem Abdul Razzaq, who is not authorized to speak for the Iraqi Police. A warrant has been issued for his questioning by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/12/03/who-is-qais-albashir/ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?"] ''Flopping Aces'', 3 December 2006</ref> A partial list of other suspicious police sources under investigation has been issued.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ "Getting News from the Enemy"], ''Flopping Aces'', Update VIII, 25 November 2006</ref>
Besides Jamil Hussein, another source used in many AP articles is police Lt. Maithem Abdul Razzaq, who is not authorized to speak for the Iraqi Police. A warrant has been issued for his questioning by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/12/03/who-is-qais-albashir/ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?"] ''Flopping Aces'', 3 December 2006</ref> A partial list of other suspicious police sources under investigation has been issued.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ "Getting News from the Enemy"], ''Flopping Aces'', Update VIII, 25 November 2006</ref>


Associated Press maintains that after questions about the accuracy of events were raised, they returned and found 'more witnesses who described the attack in particular detail', these new witnesses are all anonymous. They also maintain that Capt. Jamil Hussein is a genuine police contact and argue that the Interior Ministry's files are new and not accurate.<ref>[http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003494742 AP Stands By Iraq Story, Calls Charges 'Plain Wrong'], ''Editor & Publisher'', December 08, 2006 2:35 PM ET</ref> A public affairs officer from the [[Multinational Force Iraq|MNC-I]] Joint Operations Center has requested a retraction, or at least a correction, of the story by AP, claiming that it is false and that their source does not exist.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ Getting News from the Enemy], ''Flopping Aces'' blog, update XI 11/27/06 0900hrs PST.</ref>
Associated Press maintains that after questions about the accuracy of events were raised, they returned and found 'more witnesses who described the attack in particular detail'; these new witnesses are all anonymous, AP stating that they fear persecution if identified. AP also maintains that Capt. Jamil Hussein is a genuine police contact and argue that the Interior Ministry's files are new and not accurate.<ref>[http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003494742 AP Stands By Iraq Story, Calls Charges 'Plain Wrong'], ''Editor & Publisher'', December 08, 2006 2:35 PM ET</ref> A public affairs officer from the [[Multinational Force Iraq|MNC-I]] Joint Operations Center has requested a retraction, or at least a correction, of the story by AP, claiming that it is false and that their source does not exist.<ref>[http://www.floppingaces.net/2006/11/25/getting-the-news-from-the-enem/ Getting News from the Enemy], ''Flopping Aces'' blog, update XI 11/27/06 0900hrs PST.</ref>


Given the widespread use of AP reports, Mark Tapscott, editorial page editor of ''The Washington Examiner'', has suggested that "AP should ask the American Society of Newspaper Editors to oversee the appointment and conduct of an independent panel of respected journalists and outside evidentiary experts to determine the truth behind Captain Jamil Hussein and all other sources similarly in doubt."<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/blogs/tapscotts_copy_desk/2006/12/5/How-to-end-APs-60-Minutes-Moment-on-Iraqi-Sources "How to end AP's '60 Minutes Moment' on Iraqi Sources"], ''Tapscott's Copy Desk'', ''Washington Examiner'', 5 December 2006</ref>
Given the widespread use of AP reports, Mark Tapscott, editorial page editor of ''The Washington Examiner'', has suggested that "AP should ask the American Society of Newspaper Editors to oversee the appointment and conduct of an independent panel of respected journalists and outside evidentiary experts to determine the truth behind Captain Jamil Hussein and all other sources similarly in doubt."<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/blogs/tapscotts_copy_desk/2006/12/5/How-to-end-APs-60-Minutes-Moment-on-Iraqi-Sources "How to end AP's '60 Minutes Moment' on Iraqi Sources"], ''Tapscott's Copy Desk'', ''Washington Examiner'', 5 December 2006</ref>

Revision as of 10:23, 13 December 2006

The Jamil Hussein controversy (also called Jamilgate[1] and the Burning Six[2] controversy) involves the use by some Associated Press reporters of possible fake sources in its reporting on Iraq. In at least one case, an entire story is claimed to be false - a story which stated in part that six people were burned alive and four mosques were destroyed in Hurriya, a neighborhood of Baghdad.[3]

The scandal erupted after Multi-National Force - Iraq, responding to the Hurriya story, said they could find no confirmation of people being burned, and that only one mosque had sustained minor damage due to fire.[4]. It was noted at the Flopping Aces blog that the only named source for the story was Jamil Hussein, and that there was no evidence that he was an Iraqi police officer as claimed. Apart from issues of journalistic integrity, the concern was that Hussein might be an insurgent using AP to spread disinformation in the media.[5]

According to AP, Jamil Hussein is a police captain with an office at the Yarmouk police station in western Baghdad[6], and more recently in the al-Khadra district[7]. He has been cited as a police source in 61 AP stories from April 24, 2006 to November 25, 2006[8], and was said to have been "a regular source of police information for two years"[9], however an Iraqi official stated he is not on their list of Interior Ministry employees.

Besides Jamil Hussein, another source used in many AP articles is police Lt. Maithem Abdul Razzaq, who is not authorized to speak for the Iraqi Police. A warrant has been issued for his questioning by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior.[10] A partial list of other suspicious police sources under investigation has been issued.[11]

Associated Press maintains that after questions about the accuracy of events were raised, they returned and found 'more witnesses who described the attack in particular detail'; these new witnesses are all anonymous, AP stating that they fear persecution if identified. AP also maintains that Capt. Jamil Hussein is a genuine police contact and argue that the Interior Ministry's files are new and not accurate.[12] A public affairs officer from the MNC-I Joint Operations Center has requested a retraction, or at least a correction, of the story by AP, claiming that it is false and that their source does not exist.[13]

Given the widespread use of AP reports, Mark Tapscott, editorial page editor of The Washington Examiner, has suggested that "AP should ask the American Society of Newspaper Editors to oversee the appointment and conduct of an independent panel of respected journalists and outside evidentiary experts to determine the truth behind Captain Jamil Hussein and all other sources similarly in doubt."[14]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ "Jamilgate: NYT circles the wagons for the AP", HotAir, 4 December 2006
  2. ^ "Why the AP 'Burning Six' Scandal Remains Largely Unreported",The Jawa Report, 6 December 2006
  3. ^ "Insurgents Gun Down 21 Shiites in Iraq", ABC News, 25 November 2006
  4. ^ One Mosque Burned in Hurriya Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Press Release No. 20061125-09, Nov. 25, 2006
  5. ^ "Getting The News From The Enemy" Flopping Aces, 25 November 2006
  6. ^ "AP Replies to New Claims Against Disputed Story -- Iraqis Say They Will Now Monitor Media", Editor and Publisher, 30 November 2006
  7. ^ "AP Statement about unfounded attacks on its story about an immolation attack", "The Associated Press", 28 November 2006
  8. ^ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?" Flopping Aces, 3 December 2006
  9. ^ "Witnesses detail immolation attack on six Sunnis in Baghdad last week", USA Today, 28 November 2006
  10. ^ "Who Is Qais al-Bashir?" Flopping Aces, 3 December 2006
  11. ^ "Getting News from the Enemy", Flopping Aces, Update VIII, 25 November 2006
  12. ^ AP Stands By Iraq Story, Calls Charges 'Plain Wrong', Editor & Publisher, December 08, 2006 2:35 PM ET
  13. ^ Getting News from the Enemy, Flopping Aces blog, update XI 11/27/06 0900hrs PST.
  14. ^ "How to end AP's '60 Minutes Moment' on Iraqi Sources", Tapscott's Copy Desk, Washington Examiner, 5 December 2006
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