Apart from the beautiful Zhang Ziyi and Shanghai photo in front of the cover of the May 9th 2005 edition titled "China's Century", there have been strong critisms on Newsweek's retraction on the issue of American Interogators desecrating the Koran. The News agency is under serious heavy fire from Muslim Organizations around the world.

Here is the article:

Muslims skeptical over Newsweek back-track on Koran

By Sayed Salahuddin
KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan were skeptical on Monday about an apparent retraction by Newsweek magazine of a report that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran and said U.S. pressure was behind the climb-down.

The White House said the report based on an anonymous source had damaged the U.S. image overseas.

The report in Newsweek's May 9 issue sparked protests across the Muslim world from Afghanistan, where 16 were killed and more than 100 injured, to Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Gaza.

Newsweek said on Sunday the report might not be true.

"We will not be deceived by this," Islamic cleric Mullah Sadullah Abu Aman told Reuters in the northern Afghan province of Badakhshan, referring to the magazine's retraction.

"This is a decision by America to save itself. It comes because of American pressure. Even an ordinary illiterate peasant understands this and won't accept it."

Aman was the leader of a group of clerics who on Sunday vowed to call for a holy war against the United States in three days unless it handed over the military interrogators reported to have desecrated the Koran.

That call for a jihad, or holy war, still stood, he said.

In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the story had not met journalistic standards by relying on a single anonymous source "who could not personally substantiate the allegation that was made."

"The report has had serious consequences," McClellan said. "People have lost their lives. The image of the United States abroad has been damaged."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a close U.S. ally, said the Newsweek report had caused a public outcry that enabled enemies of Afghanistan to orchestrate violence. He was displeased with the magazine's acknowledgment of error, his spokesman said.

For Further reading: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...AKISTAN-DC.XML


I do think Newsweek needs to pay attention a bit on releasing articles that can surely put them into the fields of bad publicity. I currently suscribe both Businessweek and Newsweek while residing in the United States and I spotted a lot of flaws in which the reporting requires more researching and source information needs to be done. The news agency does have exceptional editors and reporters though and I enjoyed many of their commentaries. But there are some that are plainly ridiculous and puts Newsweek/Businessweek in a questionable situation.

But there are some that are plainly ridiculous and puts Newsweek/Businessweek in a questionable situation.

Poor, poor Newsweek .. nevermind the lives they've cost and the problems they have caused.

If the info they wrote is false somebody should be removed inmediatly.

lol, lets discuss about the newseek article on china:P

Originally Posted by staurofilakes

If the info they wrote is false somebody should be removed inmediatly.

The proccess isn't that simple and easy. The source of information sent to the editors goes a long way and it is quite difficult to decide who should take the blame. Either than that, I do suggest MSNBC network should start paying more attention in exposing articles that can risk deaths and injuries. But like most liberals would argue, it would be considered as censorship.

Currently, they are publishing dangerous articles and dangerous articles sells. The China Bashing and Anti-Bush sentiment in MSNBC is outrageously amateur. Ever since this controversial erupted, the May 9 was sold out very fast in vendors all across America. Even the vendors told me personally that they have never seen a Newsweek issue in such great demand. Its either the Koran Desecration article that caught reader's attention or it can be the front cover of Zhang Ziyi that caught men's attention. For that, I don't know why.

All those Muslims acting crazy over one little incident which may not even be true.

Just imagine if it was for something bigger, say like... something they've been all their lives to happen, something that would encompass them declaring total jihad, something they consider mega prophetic. I wonder what would happen then? Would they go and act on it? If this is a small example of that which is to come, you can imagine if it was about something much much bigger.

Originally Posted by gladius

All those Muslims acting crazy over one little incident which may not even be true.

Just imagine if it was for something bigger, say like... something they've been all their lives to happen, something that would encompass them declaring total jihad, something they consider mega prophetic. I wonder what would happen then? Would they go and act on it? If this is a small example of that which is to come, you can imagine if it was about something much much bigger.

I disagree. The incident of desecrating the Koran is considered the most hideous and sacriligious crime in Islam. This is not one little incident. If Muslims around the world were to learn their holy book have been desecrated, surely they are going to protest in outrage.

If the Bible was to be desecrated, surely conservative Christians around the world would protest in anger.

There are some who protest in a more formal fashion in some areas around the world. These protests are being done by more peaceful Muslim Organizations. However in the areas where violence occured, they are others who merely wanted to express Extreme Anti-US feelings and to stir trouble.

We can discuss that if you like. But make sure it's clean and safe.

lol not that

well if u would like

about the articles in which newsweek describes china's development

Lets shift gears for a moment in answer to MadeinChina's request.

I have the Newsweek article describing the negative and postive aspects of China hosting the 2008 Olympics. Have you read it MadeinChina?

Originally Posted by RnderSafe

Poor, poor Newsweek .. nevermind the lives they've cost and the problems they have caused.

All I know is that 15 people are dead because of this, perhaps more, and undoubtly many are injured . Newsweek isn't poor, it's bankrupt and criminally liable . And the Media wonders why they are loosing credibility and circulation