Let them eat cake! - AP to its critics on Jamil Hussein

The Jamil Hussein controversy continues to deepen, and the AP just doesn't care.

Eason Jordan, who knows a thing or two about hiding the truth in Iraq, reports that he can't find hide nor hair of Capt. Hussein. Says Jordan:

The AP has steadfastly refused to answer questions about this episode from IraqSlogger and other news outlets and bloggers.

...

But efforts by two governments, several news organizations, and bloggers have failed to produce such evidence or proof that there is a Captain Jamil Hussein. The AP cannot or will not produce him or convincing evidence of his existence.

It is striking that no one has been able to find a family member, friend, or colleague of Captain Hussein. Nor has the AP told us who in the AP's ranks has actually spoken with Captain Hussein. Nor has the AP quoted Captain Hussein once since the story of the disputed episode.

Therefore, in the absence of clear and compelling evidence to corroborate the AP's exclusive story and Captain Hussein's existence, we must conclude for now that the AP's reporting in this case was flawed.

Mr. Jordan, of course, is no mere pajama-clad blogger, but the retired chief news executive of CNN. He has real (if tainted) experience with global news gathering. One would think that the AP, or any other professional organization desiring to protect its reputation, would listen to what he has to say. Not the AP!

Kathleen Carroll, executive editor for the Associated Press, has not bothered to read Mr. Jordan's comments and says she probably will not. Said Ms. Carroll:

"I've been pretty public about what we have done to get to the crux of the criticism we have gotten about it," she added. When asked about critics' demands that AP produce Hussein to prove his existence, she said "that area [where he works] has pretty much been ethnically cleansed, it is a nasty place and continues to be."

Linda Wagner, AP's director of media relations, said no new information would be forthcoming from the AP:

"it would be highly unusual for any news organization to provide sources on the demands of critics."

Ms. Carroll's response suggests that "Capt. Hussein" is in danger of ethnic cleansing should the AP produce him. Presumably, based on the nature of the stories Hussein has been the source for, any danger would come from the Shi'ite militias whose alleged atrocities Capt. Hussein has "exposed". According to the AP, those militia already know his true identity. The AP has never said that "Jamil Hussein" is a pseudonym.

Perhaps the AP is trying to protect its reporters who contact Capt. Hussein so regularly. If so, it should flatly say so, rather than disguising that fear as concern for Capt. Hussein's safety. Even then, no harm would come to those reporters if an AP editor were to give Mr. Jordan or others directions to Capt. Hussein's place of business.

Being a police officer in Iraq is a dangerous job at the moment, to be sure. But it is a job which cannot be done in hiding. If "Jamil Hussein" exists at all outside the imagination of some AP stringers, then he must be out in the open, under that name, serving as a police officer in some police station in Iraq. How much more danger could he possibly be in, having been a named source for the AP in quite a few stories, if he were to talk to a few non-AP reporters?

The AP is obviously very concerned with the well-being of Capt. Hussein and its reporters... so concerned that they haven't used him as a source even once since the "burning mosques" story broke, with all its obvious holes.

P.S. I hope Tully will pardon me for posting on a topic in which he has been doing yeoman's work. Check out his prior posts:

Waiting for Jamil or Someone Like Him
Paging Jamil Hussein
AP Keeps Using Dubious Sources
The AP Is Making Up War Crimes
Making Up the News: Ongoing
Making (Up) the News

ELSEWHERE: Confederate Yankee has a round-up of all the stories from the AP which used "Jamil Hussein" as a source.

Flopping Aces reports on Eason Jordan's latest and continues his first-rate reporting on the subject.

Jules Crittenden also weighs in.

Hat tip: Charles Bird at RedState