An Associated Press reporter is jailed and about to be charged in an Iraqi court. Does the Associated Press:
(a) Recuse itself from the story since the AP has a direct conflict of interest, and let other news outlets cover the story; or
(b) Cover the story non-objectively, with a strong slant in favor of the AP reporter?
The AP chose option (b). Here's the AP's news story on the latest developments. Let's see how many tell-tale signs of conflict of interest have crept into the AP's objective reporting, shall we?
NEW YORK - The U.S. military plans to seek a criminal case in an Iraqi court against an award-winning Associated Press photographer but is refusing to disclose what evidence or accusations would be presented.
An AP attorney on Monday strongly protested the decision, calling the U.S. military plans a "sham of due process." The journalist, Bilal Hussein, has already been imprisoned without charges for more than 19 months.A public affairs officer notified the AP on Sunday that the military intends to submit a written complaint against Hussein that would bring the case into the Iraqi justice system as early as Nov. 29. Under Iraqi codes, an investigative magistrate will decide whether there are grounds to try Hussein, 36, who was seized in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi on April 12, 2006.
Dave Tomlin, associate general counsel for the AP, said the defense for Hussein is being forced to work "totally in the dark."
The military has not yet defined the specific charges against Hussein. Previously, the military has pointed to a range of suspicions that attempt to link him to insurgent activity.
The AP rejects all the allegations and contends it has been blocked by the military from mounting a wide-ranging defense for Hussein, who was part of the AP's Pulitzer Prize-winning photo team in 2005.
The rest of the AP's report continues along similar lines.
Of course, it's AP's right to cover the story if it wishes. But don't look to the AP for anything resembling a full, objective, accurate account of the reasons for the arrest and detention of Bilal Hussein. It's one of many stories the AP will have difficulty getting right.
For a fuller picture on this developing story, be sure to check out Michelle Malkin and Hot Air.
Update: Be sure to check out Jawa Report too. Jawa Report has learned that information it provided may have led to Bilal Hussein's apprehension.
Happy Thanksgiving My Friend.
eric aka www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
Posted by: eric | November 20, 2007 at 10:34 PM