The paper says it 'incorrectly interpreted' poll data and misquoted an expert
The Daily Express has apologised for publishing a story claiming up to half of UK Muslims ‘could support ISIS’.
The story, which the paper quickly removed from its website, was based on an ‘incorrect’ reading of an opinion poll commissioned by another newspaper.
The Express story also misquoted Haras Rafiq, managing director of the anti-Islamist group Quilliam and a Left Foot Forward contributor.
Yesterday they published an article by him respecting his right of reply.
The Express said:
“Earlier this week Express.co.uk ran a story which incorrectly claimed up to half of British Muslims ‘could support ISIS’.
This article was based on a national poll commissioned by a rival newspaper, the results of which both publications interpreted incorrectly.
Within a few hours we realised our error and quickly removed the article, but it should never have been published and we apologise unreservedly for any upset caused.”
Speaking to MediaWatch, Haras Rafiq said:
“When I was told of the piece, I contacted the Express and they were very keen to rectify a mistake that was made. Hence they admitted and apologised for the error and gave me a right to reply.
But mistakes such as these can have consequences. Especially if the press don’t act quickly to correct what has happened.
They should be more careful about such claims.“
You can read the rest of the apology and Haras Rafiq’s article in response here.
Note: We have been unable to find a copy of the original story. If any readers can find one, please get in touch via Twitter or by emailing adam@leftfootforward.org
Adam Barnett is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow MediaWatch on Twitter
Read more:
Independent runs story about Muslim lobby group CAGE… written by its spokesman!
The path towards peace in South Asia- Haras Rafiq
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26 Responses to “Daily Express says sorry for false ‘half of Muslims support ISIS’ story”
jed shed
But the Express was calling a spade a shovel and espousing a lie..
mamtor2
The ‘other’ paper is The Mirror, who commissioned the poll. No-one seems to have actually debunked the poll, and the Mirror made the same 50% argument based on 3% of the respondents saying they had a very favourable view of ISIS. Haras Rafiq should know this as he appears to have spoken to the Mirror.
Patrick Nelson
Maybe the Daily Mail has moved from being a pseudo-paper to being a surrealist living-art instillation. This will be revealed when they send out an edition with out any articles or pictures at all, but honestly called “Daily Mail, the worthwhile bits, in the center pages will be the words “may be rolled up to light BBQ’s”
Patrick Nelson
The next step along this path is to call for internment. It is a path, the logic of which eventually leads to mass expulsion or mass graves.
Ajourney
“fundamentally broken”……… You d*** head.