Fox News vs. CNN: Did Qaddafi Gov‘t Use Journalists as ’Human Shields’?
- Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:37pm by
Meredith Jessup
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In an exclusive report Monday, Fox News Channel reported that a planned attack on the capital compound of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi had to be curtailed because of journalists nearby. According to Fox, British sources confirmed that British missiles were ready to fire, but news crews from CNN, Reuters and other organizations were too close to the target.
The group of correspondents and cameramen had been brought to the area by officials of Qaddafi’s Ministry of Information to showcase damage from an earlier attack. This act, Fox reported, amounted to Qaddafi’s forces using journalists as “human shields” to protect themselves from another potential attack.
That claim is “outrageous and absolutely hypocritical,” CNN’s Nic Robertson responded Monday evening. Robertson claimed Fox News refused to send a reporter on the trip, calling it a propaganda exercise. Instead, Robertson said Fox sent a non-editorial, non-technical staffer on the trip to Qaddafi’s compound.
“When you come to somewhere like Libya, you would expect lies and deceit from the dictatorship here,” Robertson said. “You don’t expect it from the other journalists.“ If someone wanted to keep us their as ”human shields,” Robertson added, they would have kept reporters at the compound longer.
An angry Robertson went on to accuse Fox News of failing to fully investigate matters on the ground, claiming they “didn’t even leave the hotel.”
Robertson’s critique seems to have more to do with Fox News than the issue at hand. Fox had reports from the British military who were prepared to launch a second round of attacks on the compound when the Qaddafi government invited journalists into the area — a fact Robertson’s critique ignores. Instead, the CNN reporter attacks Fox for the substance of their reports from the war zone.
Additionally, I might think this feud had more to do than a squabble between cable news networks. However, to compare your competitor to a murderous tyrant takes what may have been a legitimate critique to a case of juvenile bickering.
Despite Robertson’s claims, Fox is not backing down from their original story and “human shield” claim. And regardless of whether they were being used as “human shields” or not, it’s disappointing to hear that the presence of journalists prevented the allied forces from carrying out their mission.
During a Pentagon briefing on Monday, the coalition commanders confirmed that the compound had been targeted because it housed strategic air defense systems and a Qaddafi military command and control center. The mission was scrapped to avoid civilian casualties, they said.
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Comments (126)
Jaycen
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:12pmHow DARE the people at FOX talk badly about a totalitarian dictator?!?!
You can bet FOX will spout off again when they install their own dictator here in the U.S.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:29pmTroll.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:43pm@ Jaycen
You are a little confused: We have a dictator in the White House now. If he and his wife can’t get what they want by normal constitutional means they just regulate it, czar it or executive order it.
President Obama is the worst, most unpatriotic man to ever hold the office. He is an absolute disgrace. Hell he’s a disgrace to most Democrats. And that isn’t easy to do.
I do find it humorous that it was the Democrats who started the KKK AND fought like hell against the civil rights movement in the 60’s.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 12:49amwe don’t have a dictator yet? Didn’t he just declare war without the approval of the American people? Oh wait… he didn‘t ’declare’ it. How is that different from President Bush being labeled a fascist and a war-monger for using the Marines and 82nd? Two units that do not require preliminary approval for their use -provided that person is the President.
Report Post »If Bush was a dictator, that really makes it easy. Basic math formulae. If A=B=C then A=C and Obama is a bloodthirsty, child-killing tyrant.
Mmmm,mmm,mmmm Im-peach Barry. Mmmmmm,mmmmm.
-line
‘Better dead than Red’.
ILoveGlenn
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:12pmI’ve began doubting the credibility of FOX News this days. CNN usually has the best coverage of such kind of news and ‘the F word News channel’ can not come close. Are they jelous or what?
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:30pmYou are such a troll! Especially with that name and that comment. Go back to Huffinton or Soros.
Report Post »nappy
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:01pmO.. this is easy. While CNN was looking for anti-western stories and imagery Fox was getting the lowdown from the British Military. Robertson, as well as the rest of the CNN staff, is a hack. Fox exists because of the bias of CNN and the rest of the MSM. If they weren‘t hacks FOX wouldn’t be so successful.
Report Post »Cdmfl
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:50pmHey, CNN,……………quick, send more “useful idiots” over to Libya now!
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:42pmThis is the best idea Qadaffy ever had. Go for it. I hope that is the future for all Western JournOlists: HUMAN SHIELDS. LOL.
Report Post »Whirled Peas
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:31pmBust the unions, starve the money laundering arm of the socialist democrat party!
Report Post »Cdmfl
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:30pmLenin loves “useful idiots” like the journalists at CNN!
Report Post »Cdmfl
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:39pmand another one Chuck! Keep e’m coming.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:12pmMe thinks the CNN reporters are USELESS idiots.
Report Post »miles from nowhere
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:21pmQaddafi is another Muslim coward as is all Muslims are cowards, they hide behind women and children to fight and they do not respect themselves as warriers because they are not man enough to put on a uniform to identify themselves as men fighting for there country. They are COWARDS, little wimpy people who hide in the shaddows of women. Pissy little rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:28pmYou need to stop holding your feelings inside of yourself. Let it out every once in a while.
Now: What do you REALLY think??
P.S. I think you are right.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:29pmyup
Report Post »Cdmfl
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:18pmCNN journalists………………………………Useful Idiots!
How stupid are you CNN?
No wonder your ratings are tanking!
Da…………….you think?
Report Post »Cdmfl
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:23pmDamn that was good Chuck!
Report Post »klevalt
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:16pmIsnt it an inherent risk of a war reporter to get blown to bits? Don’t they go into this knowing that risk? fire the flipping missiles!
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:16pmBefore the united nations vote to approve this bully action. It was reported that the rebels were in retreat, and were always without effective leadership. After about 150 tomahawks, and other air action there is still no signs of rebel leadership. Fertile ground for hamas, al quida, and the. muslin brotherhood. The rebels look like a mob with no direction. Mr. President, Secretary of State Clinton, this is your mess, and you can’t blame gb.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:28pmThe Muslim brotherhood has already promised the rebels a job……..in America….
Report Post »TexasHillsPatriot
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:11pmCNN is just embarrassed that they were duped by that dictator.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:09pmFox is showing Louis farrikan running his mouth again. And look at those goons he has as body guards. We need to pig bomb this sob and his arrogant looking thugs.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:16pmI wish we could use another weapon. I hate to waste such yummy food!!!!!!!! Do you think rubarb would work? Maybe those mushey green peas – still in the can of course.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:24pmTo 82….. Good point… Maybe FRENCH fries
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:58pmrazeus1 – You sir are a genius!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »drbage
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:07pmHuman shields, hmm, where have I heard that before, oh, yes, in Iraq and in Palestine and in addition, Rep. Weiner and Pope Pelosi.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:55pmWho believes the BS story about “humanitarian intervention” when Qaddafi is fighting armed rebels (globalist CIA backed Al Qaeda forces)?
Who’s going to intervene for “humanitarian reasons” when the US is accused of killing civilians with cruise missiles and 2 1/2 ton bombs?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:53pmWell, they’re supposed to be imposing a no-fly zone, which is war, and they will be shot at by AA for invading a foreign airspace.
They aren‘t supposed to be bombing Qaddafi’s compound anyway.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:47pmActually, FOX should have left out the word “reporter” when talking about CNN.
Report Post »AmericaTheBrave
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 11:35amI agree…
Report Post »Psychic_Warrior
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:47pm“Useful idiots.”
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:01pmAt least they were useful for the whack job over there.
Report Post »warrior21
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 10:26amQaddafi used the so-called journalists as “human shields” by inviting them to his compound? Fox News is right! It was a propaganda exercise and the so-called journalists should have recognized it as such and refused. Did Qaddafi know an attack was coming? And if so, how did he know? And lastly, how did the British pilots know the so-called journalists were on the ground? Can you spot so-called journalists at ten-thousand feet?
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:45pmI can see the woossies at CNN scatter like roaches when the missiles strike. That would be funny as heck!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:42pmof coarse CNN doesnt want to look bad for being used..
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 12:44ammore to the point, CNN hates being exposed jas ust another pawn in The Big Game. In their arrogance they see themselves as ‘outside’ the Action. Blithely choosing to ignore how their very presence affects the Action and refusing to believe that they can be manipulated.
Report Post »-linedog
_______________________________________________________
Sinista MACE
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:55pm
Who believes the BS story about “humanitarian intervention” when Qaddafi is fighting armed rebels (globalist CIA backed Al Qaeda forces)?
____________________________________________
Funny, isnt it? When a Repub launches a war to protect civilians, he’s a war-monger fighting for oil. He has to fight tooth and nail to get Congressional approval. (Read:Kuwait 1991) The second Gulf War should have been on the rule of International Law, not WMDs. (Saddam repeatedly defied UN Sec resolutions and frequently violated the treaty that he signed in ‘91. President Clinton was a disgraceful Legacy Whore.) Why did everyone jump on Terrorism and WMDs as an excuse? Because the LIBERALS wouldn’t have let him go to war just to save a few Kurds.
Then this ….FREAKING SOCIALIST!!!! starts a war without even contacting Congress -there ain’t even a peep!
Hypocrit, I name thee politician. Masquerader, thief of American Culture -I name thee Democrat.
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MAJORMINOR
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:42pmOf course “Human Shield” is what he pulled. Life means nothing to that skunk G-Daffy. Life does mean something to us and he knows that and will do whatever it takes to make us leave him alone.
Report Post »ISeeDanger.com
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:42pmLet the GAMES begin…..
Report Post »This should be a hot one.
Media vs. media!
http://www.ISeeDanger.com
Neci76
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 11:10amI believe Fox News ratings speak volumes, about who’s the winner of the cable news war. CNN and MSNBC don’t get the big picture. Or maybe they don’t want to know the reasons for their lackluster ratings. They’d rather whine and point fingers. Thank God for Fox News!
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 12:00pmNo…..Fox reporters are not sissies…….They are only letting the Brits do their job and not getting in the way. I call that pretty smart.
Report Post »marine249
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:42pmas I said before
Report Post »CNN mmmmmm
Robert-CA
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:41pmif you’re not gonna kill that Libyan loon or get rid of him all these military actions are for nothing .
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:54pmThey will show up in the box scores, the MSM will let you know the final score.
Report Post »Z.A.Hunter
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:58pmHas anyone else noticed how Obama can say one thing, and then turn around and say the exact opposite IN THE SAME SENTENCE?! Like:
“It’s our policy to see Qaddaffi go, but that’s not our goal.”
“We are commited to fighting in Afghanistan, but we’re leaving in 18 months.”
Grr… it’s so annoying.
Report Post »razeus1
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:53pm@ZA remember the Famous “Let me be clear…” = I‘m totally making this up and if my lips are moving you Know I’m lying!
Report Post »Clear??
MinorityRightsAdvocate
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 12:02amEXACTLY! It makes no sense to say we need to use military force to protect civilians from the madman and his willingness to kill his own people, and then say it is OK to keep him in power! That is insane!
http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/whatever-happened-to-weinbergerpowell-doctrine-that-was-only-get-involved-with-clear-objectives-then-take-decisive-action-to-win-and-then-get-out-what-the-heck-is-the-plan-in-libya/
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 5:25pmThis is what happens to President with his House built on Sand. He is just blowing in the wind and the hot air is coming from his mouth on the left side.
Report Post »redneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:39pmHe’s not as think of you dumb he is.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:43pmUgh redneck brother you might wanna try that again!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:47pmHey, if the journalist want to follow him around, it makes the job easy, just target the camera flashes. Look at the bright side, the photographers will get a great close up of a Tomahawk missle.
Come on, Duh, he is doing what Saddam did, dare the Allies to bomb him and take out a mass of civilians at the same time.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:51pmAnd in red, white & blue corner the reigning World Heavyweight Champion of the cable news networks -> FOX NEWS NETWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The challenger in the red corner, solidly in a distant second place -> Commie News Network……
Who are you going to believe?
cheezwhiz
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 7:58pmMy dad used to say :
Report Post »Truth is the first casualty of war
cheezwhiz
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:10pmHasn’t CNN done this sorta thing before ?
Report Post »When they COVERED UP Saddam‘s crimes just to get their ’ stories’ in Iraq
I’m sure we can find the details by binging
‘CNN, coverup Saddam, By Eason Jordan The New York Times April 11, 2003′
redneck
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:30pmDo we have target? Over.
Report Post »Negative, FoxNews not present, hold your fire. Over
Roger.
NickDeringer
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:46pmI am truly touched by the outrage of Mr. Nic Robertson. May I remind this self-righteous buffoon that CNN was a tool in the hands of Saddam Husein who allowed them to maintain a bureau in Baghdad as long as they didn’t report on the atrocities.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 8:49pmSo called Journalists want to be part of the story. Here’s a chance to make the Headlines. Bombs Away
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:27pmCNN: always on the WRONG side of history.
I remember when Hezbollah kidnapped the Israeli soldiers, and Israel bombed Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, Anderson Cooper was there on the rubble being shown around by a HEZBOLLAH representative. They don’t care WHO they get into bed with.
CNN = liars
Report Post »random357
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:37pmPerfectly reasonable use for Journalists.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 9:48pmThe FOX reporters in Tripoli are sissies and FOX is trying to hide that fact.
I’m sure the British Government is informing FOX of their military plans, to, you know, keep FOX reporters safe. And they’ll only talk to FOX, because they don’t care about CNN or Reuters reporters.
Come on guys, accept the obvious, FOX reporters are sissies.
FOX, if you want to report the news in Libya, get some war correspondents in there!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 10:14pmStand on the target of one of our missiles, your bound to get hurt in a big way.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 10:16pmWhy don‘t we just give them all baseball mitts and tell them that’s a foul ball coming in, come on boy’s, catch.
Report Post »Anarcho Capitalist
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 11:00pmHe may be a tyrant but i hope mummar wins. At least hes not on the bankers side.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 11:45pmJust drop the bombs and hit the target. We need to do as little Casey did and body slam the bully no matter who his friends are. Why are we fighting in Libya anyway? Did George Washington write about these sort of alliances and how they never work out? For the 3rd time in my adult life I am ashamed of my country. First being Irag, second is the election of a socialist, third letting a socialist start bombing a sovergn nation in my name. This is not going to work out well.
Report Post »101
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 2:16amMy rant for the day…
I swear the news media, congress & the president have all lost their fricken minds.
I’m watching a Congress that is dysfunctional a President that is clueless and media that is so off the wall its pathetic.
Shut off the power no need for light when everybody’s living in the dark!
Broken arrow, I repeat broken arrow!
Report Post »*************************
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 2:29am“An angry Robertson went on to accuse Fox News of failing to fully investigate matters on the ground”
LOL Suddenly reporting the news has become a priority in the world of Progressive (communist) propaganda news media?
“And now, for my next impression, Jessie Owens!” -sheriff Bart, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 7:07amBeliev what you ant to believe, either FOX or CNN. But, remember that CNN sold it’s soul to the devil in Iraq in 2003 jsut so it could stay in the country and have an exclusive on the war. Dio little or nothing to expose Saddam Hussein’s atrosities to the world with fear it would be shut down also.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 7:44amso many cultural differences, to us they are human shields, in the muslim world they are called guests.
Report Post »Tomr
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 8:40amNic ought to watch Fox News so he can get the facts right. The Pentagon’s news briefing already confirmed what Fox had reported. Nic Robertson is part of the media that is getting their lunch eaten by Fox News and is starting to show some frustration-agression behavior. His childish behavior is a manifestation of CNN’s childish reporting.
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 11:30amObama punted, Libyans got hunted.
Report Post »thepatriotic1
Posted on March 22, 2011 at 7:00pmDo we have target? Over.
Negative, FoxNews not present, hold your fire. Over
Roger
I rarely comment here, but Redneck, that was funny. Made me laugh out loud. Been a lousy day, and that made me laugh. Thanks. needed that
Report Post »ottodiedacktick
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 12:01amWouldn’t Qaddafi have to be aware that he was going to be attacked again in order to use the journalists as a human shield? How would he have known this? Did CNN tell him? How did FOX know to stay away? How did the Air Force know that there were journalists at the compound?
This is a really strange story. Is this whole thing being staged?
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