Steve Emerson

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Person.png Steve Emerson   Amazon PowerbaseRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
(Journalist, author)
Steve Emerson.jpg
BornJune 6, 1954
United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBrown University
Founder ofInvestigative Project on Terrorism
American journalist, author, and pundit on national security, "terrorism", and Islamic extremism.

Steven Emerson[1] is an American journalist, author, and pundit on national security, "terrorism", and Islamic extremism. Emerson is the author of six books, and co-author of two more. His television documentary Jihad in America won the 1994 George Polk Award for best television documentary, and top prize for best investigative reporting from Investigative Reporters and Editors. He is also the Executive Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT), a data-gathering centre on Islamist groups.[2][3] Emerson's credibility was challenged when he made claims on television concerning the English city of Birmingham which led British Prime Minister David Cameron to say that Emerson is "clearly a complete idiot."[4]

Islamic militancy

Emerson has testified before Congressional committees on such topics as the financing of terrorism and organisational structure of networks known for their involvement in Islamic militancy, including Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.[5] Some of Emerson's statements related to Muslims in the US and Europe have been criticised for inaccuracies,[6][7][8] and has been described as a "Islamophobe" and as a discredited "terrorism expert".

No go area

In January 2015, following terrorist attacks in Paris, France, Steve Emerson stated in an interview on Fox News that the city of Birmingham was populated entirely by Muslims and was a "no go area" for non-Muslims.[9] According to an estimate from the UK Census of 2011, Birmingham is estimated to have 21.8% of its population identify as Muslim, with a Christian population of 46%, and 25% claiming no religion or not giving a religion.[10] In the same interview, Emerson claimed that in London, "Muslim religious police 'beat' anyone who doesn't dress according to Muslim, religious Muslim attire".[11] The Associated Press found the error was just one error that lead to four apologies within 12 hours by Fox News for the errors in reporting.[12] The UK media regulatory authority Ofcom found Fox News to be in breach of the UK's broadcasting code on account of the comments.[13]

"Clearly a complete idiot"

In response to these comments, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he "choked on his porridge" when he heard them and observed that Emerson was "clearly a complete idiot".[14] Local MP Gisela Stuart described Emerson's remarks as "stupid" and that they had "no redeeming features".[15]

Apology

Emerson issued an apology for his misinformation stating, "I have clearly made a terrible error for which I am deeply sorry. My comments about Birmingham were totally in error." He further added that he would make a donation to a charity in Birmingham and also place a newspaper ad in Birmingham.[16] It was also reported that Birmingham City Council welcomed his apology, describing Emerson's comments as "curious" and clearly without foundation.

Publications

Books

Chapters

Documentaries

  • (1994), Terrorists Among Us: Jihad in America
  • (2005), Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West
  • (2007), Radical Islam: Terror in Its Own Words
  • (2013), Jihad in America: The Grand Deception[17]

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References

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