RADAR ALERT:
Why is the Washington Times Dragging its Feet on the Flawed Abuse Article?

On November 13 The Washington Times (TWT) ran an inflammatory article on “Abused Wives in India Pin Hope on Anti-Violence Law.” The article claimed, “A 2005 U.N. Population Fund report found that 70 percent of married women in India were victims of beatings or rape.” (http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061113-120817-8603r.htm) That statement implies that 70% of all husbands in India are batterers or rapists.

Columnist David Usher analyzed the claim, and concluded it was “yet another classic example of the feminist rumor mill in action” that came from a study that is a “misrepresentation of science.” (http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/11/19/feminist-takeover-of-the-un-is-an-issue-of-national-security)

In short, the claim is a fabrication and a hoax.

Responsible journalism dictates that key facts be confirmed before they are published, especially when they serve to stereotype and denigrate groups of persons. But The Washington Times did not do this.

The very next day after the article was run, RADAR released an Alert. But two weeks later, we are still waiting for The Washington Times to do the right thing, which is to retract the defamatory front-page article or at least print a correction.

Maybe the editors at TWT think that the issue will just go away. But it won’t. Because they have labeled 70% of Indian husbands as batterers and rapists.

Please contact the editors and ask them why they haven’t retracted the flawed story? And while you’re at it, politely request they run an article that tells the whole truth about domestic violence!

Please contact these persons today:

David Jones, international editor:
E-mail: djones@washingtontimes.com
Telephone: 1-202-636-3000, then ask to be connected to his office

Frances Coombs, managing editor:
E-mail: fcoombs@washingtontimes.com
Telephone: 1-202-636-3000, then ask to be connected to his office

Please do it now. We can’t allow this slander to stand.

Date of RADAR Release: November 27, 2006

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R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence. http://www.mediaradar.org