*Ed. Note: The DC Medical Examiner’s office concluded in April 2021 that Mr. Sicknick died of natural causes. The question remains. Why did the AP repeatedly reporter otherwise? After I wrote the story below, the AP continued on March 5, 2021 and March 10, 2021 to assert as a fact the unproven allegation that “[f]ive people died in the attack, including a police officer.”
The Associated Press (AP), once considered the “bible” of the news industry, has distributed articles since 1846 about current event to media outlets around the world.
These days, the AP als0 pushes unproven assumptions and rumors.
A classic example of this is an article distributed by the AP Tuesday about FBI Director Chris Wray’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Referring to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol Building, the AP states:
“Five people died as a result of the riot, including a Capitol Police officer and a woman who was shot as she tried to enter the House chamber with lawmakers still inside.”
Cause of Death?
In fact, it is not established that Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, died on Jan. 7 as a result of the riot. Although the incident occurred almost two months ago, the medical examiner’s report has not been released. It could turn out the riot was a factor in death but, until and unless this occurs, it is mere speculation.
Moreover, three of the five people who reportedly died succumbed to natural causes in the Capitol Building “area” on Jan. 6. Is it accurate to say their deaths were because of the riot? For example, did anyone die in the process of climbing the 365 steps to the Capitol Building ?
It is clear that one rioter, Ashli E. Babbitt, 35, an Air Force veteran, was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer as she climbed through a broken window leading to the Speaker’s Lobby.
Continue reading “The Associated Press Spreads Rumors Alongside News”