[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 156 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 156

    Condemning irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, expressing 
condolences to the victims and families of the victims of the riots in 
    the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of 
                  Afghanistan, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 2005

Mr. Neugebauer submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Condemning irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, expressing 
condolences to the victims and families of the victims of the riots in 
    the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of 
                  Afghanistan, and for other purposes.

Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects 
        and encourages freedom of the press;
Whereas a free, independent, and objective media is necessary for the 
        maintenance of liberty;
Whereas journalists bear a responsibility to the people of the United States to 
        provide accurate information;
Whereas a free and independent media must enjoy the trust of the people;
Whereas the prevalent media culture encourages journalists to ``get the story 
        first'' rather than to ensure that reports are accurate and factual;
Whereas continuing revelations of inaccurate and irresponsible reports by the 
        media have called into question the integrity and responsibility of the 
        institution of journalism;
Whereas inaccurate and irresponsible reports by the media have real-life 
        consequences;
Whereas on May 9, 2005, an American news magazine erroneously and irresponsibly 
        reported that officials of the Government of the United States 
        desecrated a copy of the Koran during the interrogation of detainees at 
        Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
Whereas the article incited riots in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the 
        Islamic Republic of Afghanistan that led to the deaths of at least 17 
        people;
Whereas the article unnecessarily inflamed passions against the United States in 
        a critical region of the world;
Whereas the article may have unnecessarily complicated efforts by the Government 
        of the United States to prosecute the War on Terror in certain regions 
        of the world;
Whereas the article may have unnecessarily placed the lives of Americans in 
        danger in those regions of the world;
Whereas the article represents only the most recent and egregious example of 
        irresponsible and inaccurate journalism in the American media;
Whereas continued irresponsible and inaccurate journalism may unnecessarily 
        damage and erode the reputation of the United States and its people in 
        other countries and regions of the world; and
Whereas continued irresponsible and inaccurate journalism could have unforeseen 
        adverse consequences for American foreign policy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That the Congress--
            (1) expresses condolences to the victims of the riots in 
        the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in the Islamic Republic of 
        Afghanistan, and their families;
            (2) deplores and condemns the continued irresponsible and 
        inaccurate journalism, the most egregious example of which 
        caused riots that led to the deaths of at least 17 people in 
        Pakistan and Afghanistan; and
            (3) deplores and condemns the prevalent media culture that 
        encourages irresponsible and inaccurate journalism, and calls 
        upon the media to exercise due diligence and caution when 
        preparing reports that could jeopardize innocent human lives.
                                 <all>