World Media Focuses on Debat Story

It is interesting to see the increasing number of news organizations that are reporting the unfolding story about Alexis Debat and whether he conned Washington and the media. Just do a Google News search.

Debat was an ABC News reporter and consultant on issues of terrorism for more than four years even though he lacked any training as a journalist. Clearly, this raises serious questions about the credibility of ABC News and how the network vets its “experts.” Debat was a Homeland Security senior advisor at George Washington University and “terrorism expert” at the Nixon Center even though he apparently had no credentials in those fields. And, on and on.

I sent an email to Debat today in an attempt to learn something about his background. Here are some of my questions … and if I receive a reply, his answers will be posted on this blog …

- First, something about you — how old are you and where did you grow up? What kind of family did you come from?
- If you finished work on your PhD in 1999, how were you able to establish such extensive, influential and deep contacts in the Middle East between that time and when you came to the U.S.?
- Do you know Amir Taheri and if so, what is your connection to him?
- When did you come to the U.S. and begin working in the area of studying terrorism?
- How did you get a job as a consultant and reporter for ABC News?
- Where are you now and what are you doing? Are you in the U.S.?
- Can you provide an email address to contact Brian Ross at ABC News?

Category: News Media, Public Affairs