Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:05 pm
AP stonewalling legitimate questions about reporter seeing Elie Wiesel’s tattoo
by Carolyn Yeager
My latest phone call on the morning of Monday Dec. 3 to the Associated Press office in New York brought the following results: The answerer, upon hearing my name, immediately connected me to Corporate Communications, where I spoke to the same woman I spoke with the previous Monday, Nov. 26. I identified myself and told her I had re-sent the first email from Nov. 8 (rather than the second one from Nov. 14) as she requested but did not receive any acknowledgment of receipt from anyone. She said she forwarded it to the proper parties, but had not guaranteed there would be a reply.
In answer to my persistent questions, to which she finally gave her name as “Lauren,” though she would not give me a last name, she added the information that the email was forwarded to “the journalist and the news editor.” Lauren would not reveal the name of the news editor. She also would not answer whether AP was getting other emails and phone calls about this subject. She said to this, and so many other questions, “I can’t tell you that.” Thus the road forward on this issue is being “stonewalled” by the guilty. As we know, they are able to write and publish tons of prose about the impossible stories of the “survivors” of the “Holocaust,” but go deaf, dumb and blind when it comes to answering simple questions of fact concerning these stories. Let’s take a look at what they are actually guilty of.
Stonewalling: To refuse to answer or cooperate (esp. in supplying information).
I have asked for further elucidation from reporter Verena Dobnik about her vaguely-worded but pointed reference to seeing a “death camp” tattoo on the left arm of Elie Wiesel during an interview session … that has never been seen by anyone! Yet, not a single further word has come forth from her.
What is the Associated Press
[From Wikipedia] The Associated Press is an American news agency, a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists. Many newspapers and broadcasters outside the United States are AP subscribers, paying a fee to use AP material without being contributing members of the cooperative. The AP staff is represented by the Newspaper Guild union, which operates under the Communication Workers union, which operates under the AFL-CIO. The content of AP news stories relating to current political issues that impact union interests has increasingly been subject to claims of news media bias. Pictured at right: AP headquarters at 450 West 33rd Street, New York City and above right: Logo on the former AP Building in New York City
Journalism Scandals
Journalistic scandals include: plagiarism, fabrication, and omission of information; activities that violate the law, or violate ethical rules; the altering or staging of an event being documented; or making substantial reporting or researching errors with the results leading to libelous or defamatory statements.
All journalistic scandals have the common factor that they call into question the integrity and truthfulness of journalism. These scandals shift public focus and scrutiny onto the media itself. Because credibility is journalism’s main currency, many news agencies and mass media outlets have strict codes of conduct and enforce them, and use several layers of editorial oversight to catch problems before stories are distributed.
However, in some cases, investigations later found that long-established journalistic checks and balances in the newsrooms failed. In some cases, senior editors fail to catch bias, libel, or fabrication inserted into a story by a reporter. In other cases, the checks and balances were omitted in the rush to get an important, ‘breaking’ news story to press (or on air). [Not the case here]
How is fabrication defined
A fabrication is a lie told when someone submits a statement as truth, without knowing for certain whether or not it actually is true [or knowing for certain it is not true]. Although the statement may be possible or plausible, it is not based on fact. Rather, it is something made up, or it is a misrepresentation of the truth. Examples of fabrication: A person giving directions to a tourist when the person doesn’t actually know the directions. Often propaganda is fabrication.
Propaganda
A form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument. Propaganda is usually repeated and dispersed over a wide variety of media in order to create the chosen result in audience attitudes.
Lie
To lie is to deliver a false statement to another person(s) [by speaking or writing] which the speaking/writing person knows is not the whole truth, intentionally.
Does Verena Dobnik’s reporting of seeing a non-existent tattoo on a famous fabricator’s arm amount to a journalism scandal?
Yes, by all criteria it does. But if no one cares, it will continue to pass unnoticed. One thing people need to keep in mind: If Verena Dobnik really had the experience of seeing Wiesel’s tattoo, as she claims, she would certainly be prepared to come forth and verify it, in the form of some kind of statement. That she doesn’t, and that her news editor and the AP are also “stonewalling” this question, tells us in no uncertain terms that she is guilty.
This website, Elie Wiesel Cons The World, charges Verena Dobnik with committing journalistic fraud, of intentionally lying in her reported interview with Mr. Wiesel about seeing his tattoo … and 2) in like manner her news editor is guilty of allowing her false claim to go past the checks that should have been performed, and 3) the AP is guilty of covering up the crime, rather than investigating it, once it was brought to their attention. 4) Lauren in Corporate Communications is guilty of “following orders” to enable the cover-up to continue. I understand she is “just doing her job” — like all those concentration camp guards that Wiesel and Dobnik like to condemn.
This calls for a lawyer, but …
This would be an excellent case if there were a lawyer that would undertake it. There are a few attorneys who will act as defense counsel in holocaust-related cases, but none who will go on the offense. The simple demand would be, “Show us the tattoo! It’s very easy to defend yourself, so why don’t you?” The silence in the face of that request tells us, by simple deduction, there is no tattoo. Thus we should keep the letters, emails ([email protected]) and phone calls (1-212-621-1500) going, and post these blogs around the Internet and to email contacts. Don’t let the AP off the hook.
Call or twitter these two people directly:
Paul Colford
Director of Media Relations
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PDColford_AP
+1 212.621.1895
Erin Madigan White
Manager of Media Relations
+1 212.621.7005
http://twitter.com/emadiganwhite
Categories Featured | Tags: AFL-CIO, AP Corporate Communications, Associated Press, Elie Wiesel's non-existent tattoo, Erin Madigan White, journalism scandals, journalistic fraud, Paul Colford, stonewalling, Verena Dobnik
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10 Comments to AP stonewalling legitimate questions about reporter seeing Elie Wiesel’s tattoo
by John Friend
On December 6, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Thank you so much for staying on top of this and keeping the pressure on both the Jewish media and Elie Wiesel himself. I plan on calling AP tomorrow morning.
by Roger
On December 8, 2012 at 9:13 pm
I have now sent three emails; none of them have been dignified with a response. With the two most recent emails, I decided to attach a receipt, so I have confirmation that these emails are being read, despite the total lack of response from the AP. It has been six days since the last one was sent, so I will nudge them again tomorrow.
I am sure telephone calls are more difficult for them to ignore, so I hope more of the readers on this site who’re able to call the AP office will do so. Carolyn is right: a crowd is louder than an individual! Even if you are not in a position to make a phone call, it is not difficult to send them an email.
by Carolyn
On December 8, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Thanks Roger. At the end of my latest blogpost on this subject (#4), I attached direct phone numbers to the persons we want to reach … which I just found. Anyone who can call these numbers, please do. Or if you use twitter, go at it !! I will call them on Monday.
Call or twitter these two people directly:
Paul Colford
Director of Media Relations
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PDColford_AP
+1 212.621.1895
Erin Madigan White
Manager of Media Relations
+1 212.621.7005
http://twitter.com/emadiganwhite
by Carolyn
On December 11, 2012 at 9:39 am
I called these two phone numbers yesterday and this morning (of Colford and White), naturally receiving only voice mail. In their voice mail message they say they will return the call, but they do not. I’m now mainly asking for a response (email or otherwise) from reporter Verena Dobnik about her (false) claim of seeing Elie Wiesel’s tattoo. That is reasonable by any measure, but still not something they can afford to do since the EW Tattoo claim is based on lies. I hope this campaign is bringing that awareness to these particular individuals, at least!
“New” reporting by Verena Dobnik, showing the AP doesn’t care about their journalists lying. It would be a good idea to post comments to these articles saying that she has been caught lying in her reporting and refuses to answer for it.
By Verena Dobnik, The Associated Press | Associated Press – Thu, Nov 29, 2012
Empire State Building surprises NY with new LED spectacle – synched with Alicia Keys on radio
December 6, 2012
New Yorkers wrestle with survival on subway tracks
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121206/NATION/212060489#ixzz2ElKfkvMe
By VERENA DOBNIK | Associated Press – Thu, Dec 6, 2012
Review: Over-the-top beauty begs for more bite
Mon, Dec 10, 2012, 4:49 PM EST – Divided NY Senate surfaces after internal power struggle, rallies around Sandy recovery NEW YORK (AP)
By Verena Dobnik, Associated Press
by Janelle
On February 26, 2013 at 11:52 am
I would like to ask a question and I would like to receive an answer. Since you all are so adamant about having simple questions answered this should not be an issue. Why do you assume that the mass murder of millions, Jews and Non-Jews, is something that can be put into question due to some grainy pictures and a Wikipedia search? To the millions who have died you are a disgrace. To the millions who have survived you are a testament to why we need so desperately to speak out. To the new generation, myself included, you are a prime example of what NOT to do. For this I thank you ladies and gentleman. I now know that the ignorance has not, and never did pass with the war. I now know that I will use every last breath in my body to fight for the cause that I know is worth dying for. So congratulations gentlemen, you’ve just created another army for the war against ignorance. I’ll see you in battle.
by Carolyn
On February 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Janelle – you seem to have answered your own question so you aren’t really asking a question. You are making a comment. If you are an example of the quality of the fighters we face, we have little to worry about.
by Lily
On February 28, 2013 at 7:46 am
Why must we have an arguement over one of the worst tradegdies in history?!? With many innocent lives lost, why are you trying to make out what a person went through? Don’t judge what someone has gone through. The Holocaust is terriable enough… Can’t we just accept that then make a greater drama from it all? please…
by Carolyn
On March 1, 2013 at 2:31 am
Lily – Why should we question lies??? Is that what you’re asking? You say absolutely nothing pertinent in this comment, as is usual from all the Wiesel apologists. They all sound like they dropped out of school in the 8th grade. Maybe you are currently in the 8th grade and studying Night? This above article is about trying to get an answer or simple reply from the well-known AP reporter, Dobnik, who claimed, without any proof whatsoever, that Elie Wiesel showed her his tattoo during her interview of him in his New York office. The photo shown with the news story was not taken on that date, so apparently she was alone with Wiesel at the time — we must laugh at this.
Since we have photographs of Wiesel without a tattoo, we need to see him revealing his tattoo in order to believe he has one. Since he refuses to do that, we have to believe it’s because he doesn’t have it. Simple deduction. So what is your problem with this, that all you can offer is hand-wringing anguish?
by Annabelle
On February 28, 2013 at 10:26 pm
If you are an example of the quality of fighters truth faces, Carolyn, then the same could also be said about you; there isn’t a lot to fear. I agree with Janelle; you are a disgrace. what you are pedalling as “truth” doesn’t stand up under proper scrutiny. I do hope you are proud of the pain you help to bring so many other people. Interesting you support Eric Hunt – somebody who physically assaults people. Enjoy your fan base of liars and frauds and racists, some of whom masquerade as academics to rope people in who don’t know any better.
by Carolyn
On March 1, 2013 at 2:41 am
Annabelle — If there isn’t a lot to fear, why write to this site? You are offering only attack and name-calling to cover that you have no proper argument about Elie and his ‘tattoo Big Lie.’ This obviously remains his greatest vulnerability in the eyes of your forces. Yes, I think this was a very effective article and I should do a follow-up. What do you think? And may I ask, if one is an academic, how does one masquerade as an academic? Actually the one masquerading as an academic is “Professor” Elie Wiesel, whose only degrees have been honorary, not earned.