PressEthic

When it comes to reporting on matters of security or intelligence, the press is left largely in the dark, forced to rely largely on information spoon-fed to them by the very people they are supposed to be checking, balancing, watching. . . This AP article, “Did Media Fall for False Claims About Death of Alleged Al-Qaeda Leader?”, in Editor & Publisher takes a closer look at the recently reported death of an Al-Qaeda “leader,” exposing the news as possible media manipulation. It says:

The Egyptian wasn't on the FBI's list of the world's 15 most wanted terrorists, nor had he made Pakistan's most wanted list. In fact, there had been little public mention of Rabia--before he was apparently killed last week in an explosion at his tribal hideout. . .

Skeptics are demanding more information about Rabia's role in alleged plots, and pointing to what they see as a troubling trend in Pakistan and the United States of hyping counterterrorism successes that may not be as big as claimed.

"He may be a serious planner that has been lurking in the shadows, but I would like to see more evidence of his terrorist credentials before saying he's a particular number in the hierarchy. I think these are relatively low-level operators," said Magnus Ranstorp, a terrorism expert at the Swedish National Defense College, referring to Rabia and his associate, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, who was captured in Pakistan in May.

It may sound absurd to request the dead terrorist’s resume, but if the government is overstating his importance then journalists have a responsibility to find the truth, to weed out the propaganda.