The Associated Press fired an investigative reporter who sent ripples of fear across the world after reporting that a top US intelligence official said Russian missiles flew over NATO territory, killing two people in Poland on November 15, according to reports.
A day later, the AP issued a correction to the information provided by investigative reporter James LaPorta, saying that they “wrongly reported, based on information from a senior US intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity, that Russian missiles had crossed into Poland and killed two people.
Police officers work outside a grain warehouse where the Polish government says a Russian-made missile blast killed two people in Przewodow, Poland, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. Poland said Wednesday that a missile from Russian-made bomber fell in the east of the country, killing two people, though President Biden said it was “unlikely” it was fired from Russia.
(AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)
The Associated Press correction then went on to say that subsequent reports found that the missiles, though Russian-made, were likely fired by Ukraine in defense against a Russian attack.
RUSSIAN MISSILES CROSS INTO NATO MEMBER POLAND, KILLS 2: US INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL
Before the correction was issued, several officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin disputed the claim initially reported by Associated Press’s LaPorta.
The Daily Beast reported in its weekly Confider edition Monday that LaPorta was fired by the Associated Press.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PROPOSES CORRECTION AFTER REPORTING RUSSIAN MISSILES KILL TWO PEOPLE IN POLAND
Fox News followed up on the matter with the Associated Press, which issued a statement.
“The rigorous editorial standards and practices of The Associated Press are fundamental to AP’s mission as a [an] independent news organization,” a representative said. “To ensure our reporting is accurate, fair and fact-based, we adhere to and enforce these standards, including the use of anonymous sources. When our standards are violated, we must take steps to protect the integrity of the news report.
“We do not make these decisions lightly, nor are they based on isolated facts,” added the president.
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In a Twitter post, LaPorta said, “I’d like to thank the multitude of veteran journalists, editors and readers who have reached out to me with words of encouragement and kindness. It truly means everyone.”
