Fox News Errors: Julie Banderas Apologizes For Muslim ‘No-Go Zones’ Claims By Steve Emerson

The Fox News errors list just ticked one point higher and progressive organizations are thrilled, broadcasting the news everywhere. But even Fox News itself spent a good amount of time on the topic, with Julie Banderas apologizing for the supposed Muslim “no-go zones” in Europe that were claimed by commentator Steve Emerson.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, the concept behind the Muslim no-go zones is that there exists areas where Islamic law overshadows local law and only Muslims are allowed to live in the area. Fox News was not the only news network to talk about these Muslim no-go zones, with some running stories on the fear that the U.S. and Canada are harboring homegrown terrorists. One organization even went so far as accusing Muslims of the Americas of acting as a front for radical Islamist group, Jamaat al-Fuqra.

The major Fox News error is the claim by guest Steve Emerson, who said that Birmingham, England is a “totally Muslim city where non-Muslims don’t go in.” England’s prime minister David Cameron called Emerson a “complete idiot” for making this claim and various organization launched campaigns demanding that Fox News apologize for airing this idea.

It worked since Julie Banderas went on live TV and detailed the Fox News errors.

“Over the course of this last week we have made some regrettable errors on air regarding the Muslim population in Europe – particularly with regard to England and France. This applies especially to discussions of so-called ‘No Go Zones’ areas where non-Muslims allegedly aren’t allowed in and police supposedly won’t go.

“To be clear, there is no formal designation of these zones in either country… and no credible information to support the assertion that there are specific areas in these countries that exclude individuals based solely on their religion. There are certainly areas of high crime in Europe as there are in the United States and other countries – where police and visitors enter with caution. We deeply regret the errors and apologize to any and all who may have taken offense including the people of France and England.”

Anchor Jeanine Pirro also apologized for the Fox News errors, noting that only 22 percent of the population of Brmingham, England identifies itself as Muslim based upon 2011 census date. But Pirro also defended the angle taken with the Fox News story by asking, “Will our free speech suffer so that we can say nothing negative about Islam?”