AP journalist fired for false story about Russian missiles hitting Poland

The Associated Press has reportedly fired the reporter who recanted the story of Russian missiles hitting Ukraine last week, leading to fierce speculation about a possible World War III scenario.

Last week, the world came to a standstill after Associated Press investigative reporter James LaPorta wrote that a “senior US intelligence official” reported that “Russian missiles had entered Poland, member of NATO, killing two people”. The story sparked a storm of concern on social media as people wondered if it would be a Franz Ferdinand-like event that would plunge the Western world into full-scale war with a nuclear power. A day later, The Associated Press retracted the article and published an editor’s note saying the unnamed “senior US intelligence official” had relayed incorrect information.

“Later reports showed that the missiles were Russian-made and most likely fired by Ukraine to defend against a Russian attack,” the editor’s note said.

According to the Daily Beast, the Associated Press fired investigative journalist James LaPorta while retaining journalist John Leicester, who co-wrote the article.

The article, which was originally co-authored with John Leicester (who still works at the AP), attributed the information to a single “senior US intelligence official”, despite the AP’s rule that it “regularly seeks and requires more than one source”. when sourcing is anonymous.

The only exception, according to its Statement of Reporting Values ​​and Principles, is when “the material comes from an authoritative figure who provides such detailed information that there is no doubt as to its accuracy” – a situation which apparently did not occur, as the report was fully retracted last Wednesday.

SCOOP: The @AP fired journalist Jim LaPorta, one of two authors of a retracted report last week alleging Russian missiles landed in NATO member Poland. The report relied on a single anonymous source, a violation of AP policy.

with@LachCartwright: https://t.co/h5EBwt7TTX

— Corbin Bolies (@CorbinBolies) November 22, 2022

The Associated Press made no comment in response to the dismissal and only issued the following statement: “The Associated Press’s rigorous editorial standards and practices are essential to AP’s mission as an independent news agency. . To ensure that our reports are accurate, fair, and fact-based, we follow and enforce these standards, including the use of anonymous sources.