Shoddy Reporting on the ‘Religion’ of Islam by ABC News, Part 1

I came across a critique of the ABC News 20/20 program, “Islam: Questions and Answers.” That program originally aired a year ago. The recent YouTube exposé by David Wood points out 20 errors in the hour long supposed ‘news’ program. This is a first of a series of posts that will delve into the various errors made by Diane Sawyer and her fellow reporters on this program. I am not quite sure whether this was just bad or sloppy reporting, or merely a succumbing to political correctness, or outright lies about the so-called ‘religion’ of peace.

Here is the video, “Whitewashing Islam – 20 Errors on 20/20 (ABC News).” Following the video is a transcript of the first few errors found in the production.
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David Wood: “Islam is an honest reporter’s kryptonite. Take a seasoned journalist on a ground-breaking news program and ask him to give you the simplest, most basic, information about Mohammed and the Qur’an.  That reporter will suddenly turn into the most pathetic, trembling, sniveling, cowardly, journalistic jellyfish you will ever see in your entire life…

“Since all the Scooby Snacks in the world won’t convince anyone in the main stream media to flee the fortress of dhimmitude. The task now falls to viewers like us to demand some degree of journalistic integrity. We can do this by watching various news specials about Islam and exposing the endless supply of false claims and misrepresentations they assume we are too stupid to spot.

“If the networks start losing credibility over their dishonest reporting, if their inaccuracy has become a source of a bit embarrassment, maybe they will be a bit more careful the next time they decide to a puff piece on the religion of puff-peace! …

“There are plenty of news programs out there in dire need of a good public flogging and I intend to go through as many of them as possible in the coming months.  But where do we begin?

“Well to keep things simple, let’s go alphabetically.  A-B-C News masterfully demonstrated what we might call the frightened ostrich method of reporting in their 20/20 special, Islam, Questions and Answers. Our questions about Islam were answered by Diane Sawyer, Bill Weir, and Lama Hasan. The three blind mice of primetime political correctness.”

Error #1

ABC News Video: The following quotes are from three apparent Muslims in the ABC News program 20/20 on Islam:

(Believers of Islam) “Are just like everyone else.”

“Being a Muslim in America, in my opinion, doesn’t make me any different than anyone else.”

“110% American.”

David Wood: “If ABC had called this program, “What Westernized Muslims Believe,” I wouldn’t have a problem with Muslims saying, “We’re just like everyone else.” But this program is called, “Islam, Questions and Answers,” and not about Westernized Muslims! Muslims, who wouldn’t know the Qur’an from a phone book!

“What does Islam teach about Muslims?

Qur’an 3:110 – You are the best peoples ever raised up for mankind.

“Muslims are the best people in the world. How about Jews and Christians?

Surah 98:6 – Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad) from among the people of Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikun (pagans) will abide in the fire of hell. They are the worst of creatures.

“We are the worst of creatures. Muslims are the best of peoples. According to the Qur’an are Muslims then, just like everyone else? Not a bit. ABC had a chance to explain this, but accurate information about Islam just isn’t a priority on their 20/20 special on Islam.”

So, obviously ABC News was biased in trying to present Islam and Muslims in the best light possible.  They tried to depict all adherents to Islam (1.5 Billion Muslims) as the very Westernized version (only 2 Million Muslims), which is not very representative at all. The Muslim’s guidebook teaches that Muslims are vastly superior other ‘creatures.’  So either the people recorded in the 20/20 program are woefully ignorant of their own religion’s teachings or they are lying or trying to deceive us.

To be continued ...