Fox News slammed for showing IS video on Jordanian pilot's death
Astro Awani
February 5, 2015 18:40 MYT
February 5, 2015 18:40 MYT
Baier is the host of 'Special Report with Bret Baier' on Fox News Channel. He previously worked as the network's Chief White House Correspondent and Pentagon correspondent. - Filepic
Sick. Disgusting. Shameful. Sensational at its lowest.
These were among the many backlash that Fox News received from netizens, particularly on Twitter, for its decision to publish the video that purportedly showed a Jordanian Air Force pilot being burnt to death by the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group.
The 22-minute footage video, first aired Tuesday evening as part of the news channel’s Bret Baier’s “Special Report” programme, was later uploaded on the Fox News website.
"We feel you need to see it," Baier reportedly told viewers, as quoted by The Independent today. "The images are brutal. They are graphic. They are upsetting. You may want to turn away. You may want to have the children leave the room right now."
Twitter user @hora_del_cafe said: “You @FoxNews and your host @BretBaier are truly sick and disgusting for showing the execution of #MuathalKaseasbeh Disrespectful to him”
Another user, @GessicaPimentel said: “@BretBaier DISGUSTING!! #FoxNews CHOOSES TO SHOW ISIS PROPAGANDA THEY JUST BECAME A MEDIA ARM OF TERRORIST ISIS”
User @sallylanger said: “@SpecialReport @BretBaier I’m disgusted that you aired ISIS video of the death of Lt. al-Kaseasbeh. Supporting ISIS is treason. #FoxNews”
The video footage, with the disclaimer "extremely graphic video", shows a series of clips of Jordanian leaders and United States President Barack Obama working together as part of the coalition fighting the advance of the so-called IS before Muath al-Kaseasbeh was made to narrate the story of his own capture, The Independent reported.
It was then shown the 26-year-old pilot walking in slow-motion past a long line of militants before being locked in a square, metal cage and then set alight after being doused in petrol.
Malaysia has since condemned this barbaric act of the IS, which has been described as the militant group’s most brutal execution yet of a foreign hostage.