Major media outlets, including the Associated Press, have been criticized for their reporting on the car attack on a German Christmas market. The Associated Press news agency's headline, “A car plows into a group of people at a Christmas market in Germany,” has been accused of downplaying the driver's role, suggesting the incident was an autonomous act of the vehicle.
A car crashed into a group of people at a Christmas market in Germany https://t.co/IepW8HsBZg
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 20, 2024
The reaction intensified after video emerged clearly showing the driver being arrested at the scene.
Newly elected US Vice President JD Vance was among those who added his voice to the debate, questioning the language used in the reporting. “Who was driving the car,” JD Vance asked.
Who drove the car? https://t.co/A6Bq8WuswL
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 20, 2024
A community note on A man from Saudi Arabia deliberately drove his car into the Christmas market as a terrorist attack.”
This is a pretty good summary of the last decade in journalism. pic.twitter.com/jFQ7bl5xtJ
— Jimbo Chewdip (@jimbochewdip) December 21, 2024
The AP's headline, along with those from other media outlets, sparked a wave of criticism online. One user wrote: 'So it's clear to everyone: this is what 'a car drove into a group of people' looks like. Nothing close to the passive headline the AP wrote. Just another example of why you don't hate the LM (Legacy Media) enough…!!”
So it is clear to everyone: this is what “a car drove into a group of people” looks like. Nothing close to the passive headline the AP wrote.
Just another example of why you don't hate the LM (Legacy Media) enough…!! pic.twitter.com/X2FDTfZQoM— B-rad Brad (@HawksandCards) December 20, 2024
Others wondered whether the wording in the media was an attempt to avoid highlighting the driver's background. One poll asked, “Is the Associated Press deliberately avoiding mention of the driver to downplay growing global hostility toward Christians?”
Is the Associated Press deliberately avoiding mentioning the impetus to downplay growing global hostility toward Christians?
— The North Poll (@the_northpoll) December 20, 2024
One person added: “Based on the AP's reporting, we are led to believe that the helpless Saudi man in the driver's seat was the victim of the car that kidnapped him.”
Based on the AP's reporting, we are led to believe that the helpless Saudi man in the driver's seat was the victim of the car that kidnapped him. ????♂️
— Simon Unchained (@SimonSaysKnow) December 20, 2024
“Was it driverless? How did the car deliberately come to market all alone? “Saudi Arab terrorist drives car into market and kills many.” I solved it for you,” read one response.
Was it driverless? How did the car deliberately come to market all alone? “Saudi Arab terrorist drives car into market and kills many.” Solved it for you.
— @kwatsup (@Kimberl72012171) December 21, 2024
Elon Musk enters
Elon Musk also took aim at traditional media, including the AP. He wrote on X: “You don't hate the lying old media enough.”
You don't hate the lying legacy media enough https://t.co/gMtjbp2EMG
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 20, 2024
The Guardian was also under fire
The Guardian also faced similar backlash for its headline describing the vehicle as a “dark BMW” without naming the driver.
Someone shared a screenshot of the headline in The Guardian, saying: 'Hey The Guardian, I'm pretty sure a 'dark BMW' hasn't decided to drive into a crowd enjoying their Christmas market. You know as well as we do that a man arrested at the scene was responsible for this atrocity, so leave the offensive story alone.”
Hi @guardian
I'm pretty sure a “dark BMW” hasn't decided to drive into a crowd enjoying their Christmas market.
You know as well as we do that a man arrested at the scene was responsible for this atrocity, so let the insulting story rest. pic.twitter.com/jP1tKNvcI9— Cold957 (@cold957) December 20, 2024
The attack in Magdeburg claimed two lives and injured 68 others when a 50-year-old Saudi doctor drove a BMW into a busy Christmas market. He was arrested at gunpoint after what authorities described as a terror attack.