New York Post Faces Protests and Demands Apology for False Reporting on Assassination Attempt

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New York City, July 15, 2024 — The New York Post has come under severe criticism and demands for a formal retraction and apology after falsely reporting that a Chinese man was responsible for the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13.

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition dedicated to addressing racism and discrimination affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, expressed strong discontent with the New York Post’s erroneous reporting. They emphasized the dangerous implications of such irresponsible journalism in today’s politically charged climate, highlighting its harmful impact on communities. Stop AAPI Hate demands that the New York Post issue a formal retraction and apology, cautioning that such misinformation exacerbates fear and anxiety within the Asian American community.

The Asian American Foundation – TAAF: “This weekend, the New York Post issued an article incorrectly identifying the perpetrator of Saturday’s attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, as a “Chinese man.” The article was later updated, but no proper acknowledgement of the correction was made. Making an unfounded claim that casts suspicion on an already vulnerable and discriminated group is not just irresponsible; it’s dangerous. We join others in our community in calling for the New York Post to issue an apology and take steps to prevent future lapses in journalistic integrity.

Now more than ever, we must hold news organizations accountable for their responsibility to accurate and ethical reporting. Misinformation, even if unintentional, has real-world consequences.”

Committee of 100, a prominent non-profit organization representing Chinese Americans, publicly condemned the false story. They called for a public apology, a clarification statement, and stricter editorial guidelines from the New York Post. In a letter to the editor, Committee of 100 Chair Gary Locke, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former Governor of Washington, expressed deep concern over the reckless reporting. Locke underscored the perilous consequences of spreading misinformation during a period of heightened anti-Asian sentiment and urged the New York Post to take measures to prevent similar errors in the future.

Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) condemned the New York Post for wrongly claiming the shooter was a “Chinese man” and updating the story without a correction notice. They emphasized the vital role of accuracy in journalism, particularly in sensitive cases, and demanded a public apology and corrective action from the newspaper.

New York Senator Iwen Chu also criticized the New York Post’s premature identification of the gunman as a ‘Chinese man’ without proper verification. She called for the newspaper to issue a formal apology to the Chinese American community and stressed the critical importance of accurate and responsible reporting, especially in cases that can profoundly impact communities and individuals.

New York City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, immigrant, activist, and attorney, expressed profound disturbance over the misidentification during such an emotional time. She highlighted the negative impact of such erroneous reporting on the reputation and safety of Chinese Americans.

New York Assembly member Grace Lee criticized the New York Post for prematurely reporting the shooter as Chinese, emphasizing that such reckless reporting fuels hatred and violence against Asians. She urged the newspaper to apologize for its error.

New York Council Member Susan Zhuang called for the New York Post to formally retract the false identification of the shooter as a Chinese man, citing devastating consequences of misinformation targeting marginalized communities.

Andy Chen, candidate for New York State Assembly District 40, highlighted the need for thorough verification of information before publication to avoid fanning xenophobic sentiments. He criticized the New York Post’s handling of the correction and demanded a proper apology.

All parties involved stressed the urgency for the New York Post to issue a public apology, retract the false reporting, and take steps to prevent similar errors in the future. They underscored that accurate and responsible journalism is crucial for maintaining community safety and dignity, especially in today’s tense and emotional climate.

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