Democracy Now: Fox Expert admits Birmingham, UK not all Muslim on BBC News, called idiot by PM

[yurbud]

Video and audio at link

AMY GOODMAN: While Steve Emerson claimed the British city of Birmingham was totally Muslim, it’s in fact a predominantly Christian city. Emerson, who describes himself as, quote, "one of the leading authorities" on Islamic extremist networks, appeared on the BBC Monday and apologized.

STEVE EMERSON: I relied on incorrect research. It was totally irresponsible for me not to have fact-checked the information that I obtained. And it was not done out of any malice, but out of a total irresponsible journalistic practice, which I usually and uniformly don’t practice.

NICK OWEN: Are you aware that our prime minister has called you a complete idiot?

STEVE EMERSON: Yes, I’m aware.

NICK OWEN: What does that make you feel?

STEVE EMERSON: Not great. You know, mistakes are made. What can I tell you?

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/1/13/glenn_greenwald_on_how_to_be

[Zambero]

1. Hey Emerson, why even bother to fact check?

Once something is blurted out of the Fox News bag, it's automatically accepted as gospel truth, as personal prejudices get reinforced. Fabricated statements such as those made by Emerson are not a hard sell with this crowd, regardless of how ludicrous they may be. The chances of a retraction changing the intractable mindset of a typical Fox listener are about as likely as getting squeezed toothpaste back into the tube.

[yurbud]

2. and the Fox crowd is unlikely to be watching the BBC.