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January 20, 2015

Fox News Apologizes 4 Times for False Facts on Muslims in Europe 
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Fox News has apologized for broadcasting false information about Muslims
in the wake of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a kosher market in
Paris. Last weekend, self-described terrorism expert Steve Emerson
claimed on Fox News that parts of Europe, including the entire English
city of Birmingham, were totally Muslim areas where non-Muslims do not
go. Emerson was forced to apologize, but the claim about so-called
"no-go zones" was repeated by other Fox guests and anchors. On Saturday,
according to a CNN tally, Fox News took time out of four broadcasts to
apologize. Julie Banderas issued the broadest apology, directed at the
people of England and France.

Julie Banderas: "A correction now: Over the course of this last week, we
have made some regrettable errors on air regarding the Muslim population
in Europe, particularly with regard to England and France. Now this
applies especially to discussions of so-called 'no-go zones,' areas
where non-Muslims allegedly aren't allowed in and police supposedly
won't go. To be clear, there is no formal designation of these zones in
either country and no credible information to support the assertion
there are specific areas in these countries that exclude individuals
based solely on their religion."

Banderas' apology came just hours after she interviewed a guest who
falsely claimed that 69 percent of Muslims in France support ISIS
— a claim Fox subsequently corrected.

 

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