The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo is planning to sue Fox News for its reports that there were "no-go zones" in the French capital that police and non-Muslims avoid. Speaking with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Hidalgo said on Tuesday, "The image of Paris has been prejudiced, and the honor of Paris has been prejudiced" by the reports. Answering a question on which network she planned to sue, the mayor said, "Fox News, that's the name."
The reports in the wake of the extremist attacks in Paris two weeks ago have been widely derided and prompted Fox to issue an on-air apology for suggesting parts of Paris and the English city of Birmingham were run under Islamic Shariah law. "A complaint will be filed in the coming days," despite the apology, said a source at Paris city hall. The news channel broadcast a map outlining the so-called no-go zones, which an expert, Nolan Peterson said felt like Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Saturday a Fox news anchor apologized for "some regrettable errors on air regarding the Muslim population in Europe, particularly with regard to England and France. "Now this applies especially to discussions of so-called no-go zones, areas where non-Muslims allegedly are not allowed in and police supposedly won't go," the anchor said.
The Fox reports spawned much derision online and saw local news show Le Petit Journal send fake correspondents Mike and John to report on these so-called dangerous areas. "Oh my God it's an Islamist, he has a beard," one of the jittery reporters cries as a taxi pulls up. Another takes fright at the sight of a Moroccan restaurant: "Oh my God a couscous! Very dangerous couscous in Paris!"
Fox News Chairman and CEO, Rupert Muldoch faced heavy criticism after sharing his opinion over the recent Paris attacks on his Twitter account saying that all Muslims should be held responsible for the violence caused by extremists. Murdoch tweeted that "Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible," going on to tweet "Big jihadist danger looming everywhere from Philippines to Africa to Europe to US. Political correctness makes for denial and hypocrisy."
After his controversial tweets, Murdoch received widespread criticism on social media for holding a religion of billions of people responsible for the actions of extremists.
The massacre at Charlie Hebdo left 12 dead. Two black balaclava-wearing gunmen opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles inside the office. The attackers shouted, "We have avenged the prophet," according to witnesses cited by a police source, AFP reported. Al Qaida has claimed the attack and threatened the West to carry out more attacks.
The repeated publication of Prophet Muhammad caricatures by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked anger among Muslims around the world, as anti-Charlie Hebdo protests turned violent in Muslim countries.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.