Inspired by "Fox news mistake" thread

[yeartolate]

FOX NEWS MISTAKE THREAD

What should happen to the reporter and/or FOX news for what happened.

A Fox news reporter on national TV announced the address of a probable terrorist on national TV. Unfortunatly the probable terrorist had moved and the occupant of the house is being harrassed and threatend.

I firstly have problems with posting any address - if the person is a known terrorist - isn't it law enforcements issue? Announcing the address on national TV is tantamount to a call for vigilanties to sadddle up and lock and load. It is pure luck that the non terrorist occupants of the house were not physically harmed.

On the related thread there was a call for civil prosecution....but what about criminal? I don't know what the charge would be, but if it happened to me, I would not rest until criminal charges were applied.

What should the punishment be?

 

[escape]

I was only half listening to CNN last night but I think I heard that he was fired from FOX news.

Edited to add...the guy was a commentator for Fox news and he apologized profusely to the folks at that address. I don't know if FOX news has apologized.

 

[yeartolate]

Is being fired enough?

DO you think that the reporter blurted it out on air without anyone else's knowlege?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Is being fired enough?

DO you think that the reporter blurted it out on air without anyone else's knowlege?

Firing the reporter/political commentator (one in the same at FNC) was enough of a punishment for the reporter. I'm sure the family will take steps to bring some sort of civil suit against the network, which had to have some idea of his plan to reveal the home's location, and if they settle (most likely) or it goes to court (highly unlikely), I will be satified. In the end, the families' satisfaction is my greatest concern.

 

[escape]

Sorry, I didn't see the poll when I first responded.

I'm not sure this is a criminal offense. I don't know enough about what would constitute a criminal offense. Did the commentator act maliciously? I don't know. Irresponsibly? Most definitely! But is that enough?

I think if I were in this family's position, I would hire a lawyer and explore my options. Looking into my crystal ball here (well, my crystal Mickey), I see $$$$ in this family's future.

 

[yeartolate]

What would be the intent with announcing the address on national televison? If it were to bring him to justice, there were better places to call - liike the police, fbi,cia, and the like. So I can only guess that this was a call for "taking the law into your own hands". What else?

Child molesters that go on a list earned their way there as part of criminal prosecution - the terrorist had none. If they had and the address was known - a simple call to the authorities would have sufficed.


The intent was malicious , but I am not sure if it was criminal. I at a minimum would like an investigation.

The reporter and Fox NEws was very lucky the situation ended up "well".

 

[eclectics]

The reporters contract was terminated by Fox and the reporter apologized to the family but Fox has done NOTHING to help these people who still are getting threats and are still saying they may have to move just to feel safe again. I don't know if any laws were broken by Fox but they sure as heck should compensate the family for what they put them through!

 

[LoraJ]

The reporters contract was terminated by Fox and the reporter apologized to the family but Fox has done NOTHING to help these people who still are getting threats and are still saying they may have to move just to feel safe again. I don't know if any laws were broken by Fox but they sure as heck should compensate the family for what they put them through!

Definitely!!!
They need to give them a nice down payment for a new home. And cover all moving costs.

 

[alliecats]

I wasn't aware that commentators could ad-lib the newscast. Don't they read it off teleprompters? Doesn't someone have to type that in? And doesn't someone else guide, direct, and approve what is reported each night? To me the newscaster would be way at the bottom of the food chain of accountability here, unless I am completely misinformed about how the news is done. (And if I am, I am sure someone will tell me).
Sounds like he/she is being scapegoated here, and while he/she is still responsible for his/her part in this mess, I think some higher-ups also need to be held accountable for this in a serious way. You'd think this would be a violation of some federal law or something. This whole thing is just unbelievable to me.

 

[peachgirl]

I voted for criminal prosectution as well as civil.

This sort of vigilante justice is getting out of hand and Fox is leading the pack in their aggressive attacks. I hold Fox much more responsible than I do the commentator, although both are liable as far as I'm concerned. I have no doubt there is a civil case here and my guess is Fox will settle if at all possible just to avoid the publicity.

I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know what's needed to make a criminal case, but I'm satisified if they are held liable to the fullest extent the law will allow. An example needs to be set to curb this sort of behavior.

 

[peachgirl]

Definitely!!!
They need to give them a nice down payment for a new home. And cover all moving costs.

To heck with that, they need to buy them the house and pay them a bunch for their mental anguish.

 

[Saffron]

...
Sounds like he/she is being scapegoated here, and while he/she is still responsible for his/her part in this mess, I think some higher-ups also need to be held accountable for this in a serious way. You'd think this would be a violation of some federal law or something. This whole thing is just unbelievable to me.

I agree. Along with monetary compensation for the family so they can relocate, live comfortablly AND have A LOT of money left over so they can enjoy life again too.

 

[CarolA]

This whole mess is one of the reasons I won't watch Fox News... Thier reporting method appears to be "report then verify" They have made NUMEROUS BONEHEAD misstakes. (After the last shuttle explosion they reported that "It was a terrorist attack almost immediately" AS IF THEY KNEW!!!!)

 

[SueM in MN]

I wanted to vote for more things (criminal and financial penalties for the reporter, Fox (and anyone at Fox who had anything to do with that report - so that would include anyone who wrote it, the producer, the reporter, the editor).
The family should be provided with a public apology, a new house, moving expenses and money to compensate them for the wrong that was done.

And then just maybe to let them see what it's like, maybe put their addresses out there as terrorists so they can see why someone would be upset about having it done.

 

[Mugg Mann]

And with the exception of JoeEpcotRocks, who I respect for his honesty and willingness to acknowledge what Fox News did, I'm still waiting for any of the usual DIS right-wing posters to comment on this here.............

 

[yeartolate]

And then just maybe to let them see what it's like, maybe put their addresses out there as terrorists so they can see why someone would be upset about having it done.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Looking at the poll results, one has to seriously wonder about the three people who voted that they didn't believe the story. A quick google search reveals many different sources.

Since it didn't happen yesterday, will today be the day that the right wing DIS posters display a little integrity and actually condemn a seemingly indefensible act by Fox News? (JoeEpcotRocks, your integrity is again noted!)

 

[Sparx]

The address should not have been told. correct or not. I am not trying to protect terrorists, but they should have known that the place would be attacked!

 

[Luv2Roam]

How about if Fox puts the family NOW into a hotel, buys the family a new house and makes the reporter live in the house the family currently lives in?

 

[peachgirl]

Looking at the poll results, one has to seriously wonder about the three people who voted that they didn't believe the story. A quick google search reveals many different sources.

Since it didn't happen yesterday, will today be the day that the right wing DIS posters display a little integrity and actually condemn a seemingly indefensible act by Fox News? (JoeEpcotRocks, your integrity is again noted!)

Don't count on it. Apparently they haven't come up with a defense so they'll just vote and slither away.

As for the poll, it's no coincidence that the percentage of people who either think what Fox did was fine, should only apologize or don't believe it at all, is just about the same percentage that is the Republican base.

It wouldn't matter if Fox drug those people out of their house and publicly flogged them....they'd support it.