Fox News source makes life hell for family mistaken for "Terrists"

[BurtWorm]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lahabra25aug25,1,5510970,full.story?coll=la-headlines-california

When Blame Knocks on the Wrong Door

Since Fox News wrongly identified a La Habra home as that of a terrorist, its five- member family has faced an angry backlash.

By H.G. Reza
Times Staff Writer

August 25, 2005

...

In what Fox News officials concede was a mistake, John Loftus, a former U.S. prosecutor, gave out the address Aug. 7, saying it was the home of a Middle Eastern man, Iyad K. Hilal, who was the leader of a terrorist group with ties to those responsible for the July 7 bombings in London.

Hilal, whom Loftus identified by name during the broadcast, moved out of the house about three years ago. But the consequences were immediate for the Voricks.

Satellite photos of the house and directions to the residence were posted online. The Voricks told police, who arranged for the content to be taken down. Someone even removed the street sign where the Voricks live to provide some protection.

...


Last weekend, someone spray-painted "Terrist" on their home. Police, who have regularly patrolled their house since the day after the broadcast, now station a squad car across the street.

...

[sui generis]

1. they really need to sue Fox

accident or not, Fox has to vet its stories more carefully. Right now the only people paying for that mistake are the ones the mistake was about.

They are suffering from a disruption in their lives caused by irresponsible journalism (and some vigilante justice freak motherfuckers who seem to think they are wise and powerful and speak for all Americans by spray painting Terrist on someone's door).

[terrya]

7. I was just goint to say this. I hope the family gets a very good lawyer.

And I hope that they do sue the Fox Network. Fox basically caused these people to be harassed. And Fox should be held accountable for their actions.

[Maraya1969]

2. What was the point in giving out the name in the first place?

Was he hoping someone would kill the guy? They give directions to the house and a satellite photo. Even if the man was still there he could have had kids.

It seems like this Prosecutor was hoping for some vigilante attacks.

[mmonk]

3. Sue

Sue these people that are so reckless. That creates a dangerous situation for them. They wouldn't have a dime after I got through with them if it were me.

[me b zola]

4. I would be pressuring the local prosecutor to file criminal charges

In labling these people terrorists, they in turn have been terrorized.

Sue later. First press for criminal charges.


I hope like hell that KO covers this. :grr:

[delen]

5. There should be a law

against publicly disclosing the home address of any suspect in any crime.News organizations used to have some decency were this type of thing was concerned.Last fall my local paper printed the home address and a picture of the house were a high profile murder suspect lived,no the crime was not committed in the house or even in the same state and his wife and children were not involved. Also this was a very high profile, with racial overtones, and highly disputed as to what really happened(Hmong hunter shots and kills 6 in Wisconsin), the suspects family was forced to move to another city near by and the same paper was good enough to print this fact also along with a picture of that house no address this time guess they were being discrete

[marbuc]

6. "Last weekend, someone spray-painted "Terrist" on their home"

You're joking right? If you can't spell it, don't spray it!

[zbdent]

8. Rather gets a firestorm for questioning a document - Fox gets a free

pass on causing terrorism . . .

Are those jackboots I hear?