Yes, private should have substantiated his claims. In effect private was dishonest by not backing up - or reporting "I know I saw it on TV but I can't find it". My hope is that a lesson has been learned, and a little less trust for the media will be the result for private. Any Muslim would be absolutely justified in feeling that this was a racist attack on them. The stormy present was absolutely justified in being pissed.

I am actually worried that private

holds a position of responsibility in a major publication

. Perhaps private has no connection with actual journalism, but one would hope that the basic ethics of journalism would still be known to one in such a position.

My operating assumptions were:

1. Private did see something on television.
   
2. Private actually did try to find collaboration on the Internet and could not.
   
3. In some way what Private saw was not legitimate.
   
4. If Private did see something, then so did a lot of other people and the more information out on the net debunking it the better.

Just for fun here are the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:
-- Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
-- Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
-- Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
[...]

Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

[...]

Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.

[...]

Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

Journalists should:
-- Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
-- Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
-- Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
-- Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
-- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

Emphasis is mine.


We are for Justice and Mercy, and Truth and Peace, and true Freedom. Edward Burroughs 1659