http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4096977.htm Quote:The Telegraph’s front page reported the ‘teenage Islamic extremist’ had ‘made repeated threats against the Prime Minister’
And this was soon being recycled on ABC News 24 and Channel Nine’s Today Show, by the editor of the Courier Mail’s Sunday stablemate.
but...
Quote:But within a couple of hours the claim had been denied by the Australian Federal Police’s acting commissioner Andrew Colvin. And next day the Tele was forced to pull back, admitting:
"... Haider is believed to have not made any specific threats against the PM ...
— The Daily Telegraph, 25th September, 2014"
and again...
Quote:The Age soon hit back online with its own exclusivescare:
"Melbourne terror shooting: Numan Haider 'planned to behead Victoria Police officers, drape bodies in IS flag'
— The Age, 24th September, 2014"
The Age’s claim—by veteran police reporter John Silvester—was also seized on by others in the media, including Seven, Ten and Nine’s evening news
"PETER HITCHENER: Good Evening, disturbing new information is emerging about the teenage terror suspect shot dead at Endeavour Hills, it’s claimed 18 year old Numan Haider planned to behead police and post the images online.
— Channel Nine, News, 24th September, 2014"
the reality...
Quote:Victoria’s Police chief police Ken Lay was quick to scotch suggestions the 18-year-old was planning to behead anyone.
"KEN LAY: What you just mentioned is absolute speculation. I’m not aware of any evidence that would suggest that that’s correct ...
We do need to be really, really careful of making suggestions and often these quite outrageous suggestions which are, to my knowledge, not based on any fact.
— 774 ABC Melbourne, Mornings with Zoe Daniel, 25th September, 2014"
Thank God for media watch to balance things out.
Though, its probably fair to say the damage has already been done