AP reporter behind erroneous Russian missile story fired: reports

close

Video

Russian missiles hitting Poland could trigger NATO Article 4 or NATO Article 5

Fox News correspondent Greg Palkot reports the latest on Russian missiles landing in Poland, killing two people and knocking out electricity in Ukraine on 'Your World with Neil Cavuto.'

The Associated Press fired an investigative reporter who sent scare waves through the world after reporting that a senior U.S. intelligence official said Russian missiles flew over NATO territory and killed two people in Poland on Nov. 15, according to reports.

A day later, the AP issued a correction to the information put out by Investigative Reporter James LaPorta, saying they "reported erroneously, based on information from a senior American intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity, that Russian missiles had crossed into Poland and killed two people."

Police officers work outside a grain depot where, according to the Polish government, an explosion of a Russian-made missile killed two people in Przewodow, Poland, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. Poland said Wednesday that a Russian-made missile fell in the country’s east, killing two people, though President Biden said it was "unlikely" it was fired from Russia. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)

The Associated Press’s correction then went on to say subsequent reporting found the missiles, though Russian-made, were most likely fired by Ukraine in defense against a Russian attack.

RUSSIAN MISSILES CROSS INTO NATO MEMBER POLAND, KILL 2: SENIOR US INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL

Before the correction was issued, multiple officials like Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin disputed the claim initially reported by the Associated Press’s LaPorta.

The Daily Beast reported in its weekly edition of Confider on Monday that LaPorta was fired by the Associated Press.

ASSOCIATED PRESS ISSUES CORRECTION AFTER REPORTING RUSSIAN MISSILES KILLED TWO PEOPLE IN POLAND

Fox News followed up on the matter with the Associated Press, which released a statement.

"The rigorous editorial standards and practices of The Associated Press are critical to AP’s mission as [an] independent news organization," a representative said. "To ensure our reporting is accurate fair and fact-based, we abide by and enforce these standards, including around the use of anonymous sources. When our standards are violated, we must take the steps necessary to protect the integrity of the news report.

"We do not make these decisions lightly, nor are they based on isolated incidents," the representative added.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In a Twitter post, LaPorta said, "I'd like to thank the multitude of journalists, editors and long-time readers that have reached out to me with words of encouragement and kindness. It sincerely means the world."

Video