Be Fair and Balanced

So what's the deal with Fox's report on Michael Moore's bodyguard? Is it true or not?

The bodyguard's employer, Gavin de Becker & Associates, wrote to Moorewatch and had this to say, among other things:

The Fox News story also says Patrick Burk was carrying “an unlicensed firearm.” Please correct that error. Patrick Burk’s firearm is legally registered to Patrick Burk - it is not “unlicensed.” Patrick Burk is licensed to carry a firearm in several States, and a court will determine if any charge is appropriate for Patrick Burk in this matter, which involves New York City.

Though I realize a Michael Moore connection would be of interest to your web site, Patrick Burk is not Michael Moore’s bodyguard, and has never been employed by Michael Moore.

An important note for you is that Patrick Burk is not a public figure and even the smallest inaccurate detail that is widely disseminated could predictably interfere with his ability to pursue his profession. Patrick Burk is a former Marine who served with distinction in an elite and specialized Marine unit, and he protected, among others, then-President Clinton.

Our firm (www.gavindebecker.com) provides protective coverage for public figures and others, and Patrick Burk is a leading professional in his field.

We can't conclude yet that Fox News is wrong or that everything the company states in their email is correct. In light of how CBS handled the fabricated memo story however, and in the interest of good journalism, Fox should now be addressing this. Significant facts in Fox's story have been challenged from an interested, but presumably knowledgable party.

It's not good enough to post the story, have it significantly challenged, and to just leave it up there with no remarks as to its current status. At this point, the original post should at the very least mention that the story has been disputed by the man's employer. Most bloggers know enough to update a post when new significant facts are discovered which throw the original story into doubt. How is it that a major news organization can do less?

Better, the post should provide a link to Moorewatch or a link to a second Fox story about the employer's claims.

And there should be a follow up. Fox reported this- they threw this thing into the public discussion- they ought to get to the bottom of the story and discover whether their original story was correct or whether the employer's version of the facts is correct. Or if the truth is something else, which common sense suggests might be the most likely option, they ought to let us know.

The right side of the 'sphere ought not to let Fox News off the hook just because they're Fox and this is Michael Moore they were talking about. If this were CBS talking about oh I don't know- Mel Gibson or Clint Eastwood- we wouldn't let them off so easily. We should demand no less from Fox.