– May 30, 2006

NPR Censoring Its Own Reports, Transcripts? Reporter Echoes
“No Atheists in Foxholes” Canard in
Iraq Trucking Report – Discrepency Between Audio Program, Web Transcript! –

Is NPR, National Public Radio, saying one thing and reporting another on its web site?

On May 25, 2006, NPR featured the first of a two-part segment by John Burnett, “The Trucker’s War: On The Road to Iraq” during its popular “All Things Considered” program.

Burnett’s story focused on the travails of civilian contract truck drivers hauling freight to military bases throughout Iraq. This moving account featured interviews with truckers working for KBR, a subsidiary of the Halliburton company.

The audio included the following comments by Mr. Burnett punctuated by remarks by truckers:

“Then suddenly there’s a sharp concussion, black smoke, chaos. An IED (Improvised Explosive Device) on the left side of the road. You say a quick prayer and you move on.

“To amend the old saying about foxholes, there are no atheists driving trucks in Iraq.

“It’s another day on the job of a truck driver for Operation Iraqi Freedom…”

It’s bad enough that such a slur is made on National Public Radio. How does Burnett know that of the 700 or so trucks operated by KBR in this dangerous war zone, there are no drivers who are not religious and may identify themselves as Atheists? This is just another sleazy version of the old canard, “There are no Atheists in foxholes.” It has no basis in fact, and it impugns the courage and patriotism of the many men and women who have worn the uniform and served this nation! And imagine if Burnett or some other reporter had breezily made this unsubstantiated claim about, say, blacks or Jews or even a religious group!

But worse yet, NPR has apparently censored these fallacious remarks from their transcript on the internet! At npr.org there is a printed version of Burnett’s story which reads:

“Then suddenly there’s a sharp concussion, black smoke, chaos. An IED (Improvised Explosive Device) on the left side of the road. You say a quick prayer and you move on…

“It’s another day on the job of a truck driver for Operation Iraqi Freedom…”

Burnett’s statement about Atheists in foxholes is not present. Is NPR censoring?

You can listen to the audio version of that program at npr.org. We also have a three-minute excerpt of the beginning of Burnett’s report.

National Public Radio needs to hear from us NOW. They need to apologize for their insensitive and inaccurate remarks impugning Atheists, and they need to explain why the discrepancy between the content of the aired report on “All Things Considered” of 5/25/06 and their web-based transcript!

We urge everyone concerned about accuracy and fair reporting to contact National Public Radio. Visit npr.org for a form and other information to reach NPR via the internet. Specify the program, “All Things Considered” and the segment which aired on May 25, 2006.

• Be courteous and to-the-point. Tell NPR that Mr. Burnett’s remarks about Atheists were most inappropriate and inaccurate. While many or even all of the drivers he interviewed may have expressed religious opinions, his remark was gratuitous and not factual.
• Ask why the audio segment about “Atheists in foxholes” and the claim that there are no “Atheists driving trucks in Iraq” was omitted from the web-version of the story.
• Be sure to provide contact information on yourself. If sending a letter, be sure to include your return address and signature. Ask for a response from the appropriate person at National Public Radio!
• Share your letters and replies on this web site
• Spread this Action Alert!

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