A CNN host caught a Republican congressman in a bit of a contradiction Thursday when she asked him if he was concerned that Fox News aided the Islamic State when it posted a video to its website that showed militants burning a Jordanian pilot alive.
Rep. Tim Poe (R-TX) had been arguing to CNN’s Carol Costello that social media websites have an obligation to remove posts that raise money and recruit militants for the Islamic State or otherwise spread its “propaganda.” Costello then asked whether Poe was concerned about media organizations showing video of executions carried out by the Islamic State.
“Well, these private companies have an obligation to follow the federal law,” Poe said. “If we’re dealing with a foreign terrorist organization, they should not be aiding them in any way. They should follow the law. That’s a call they have to make.”
“I was just thinking specifically of Fox News’ decision to put the Jordanian pilot on their website, you know that terrible video of him being burned alive,” Costello said. “Do you think that should have happened?”
Poe didn’t give a definitive answer.
“I don’t know if that should have happened or not,” he replied. “We could make the argument ‘Yes, that’s aiding ISIS.’ Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know on that specific one. I didn’t see it so I can’t answer that question.”
“But you would object to that being put on Twitter or on Facebook, right?” Costello asked.
“I would object to any type of Twitter or any type of tweet that would promote a foreign terrorist organization, no matter who it is or what agency would do that,” Poe replied.
“Including links to those videos, right?” Costello pressed.
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded.
