[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H3338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
              TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FOR NEWSWEEK RETRACTION

  (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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