Reporter behind disputed CBS Pakistan story was previously fired over false report

LAHORE: A CBS News report alleging that Pakistan had shielded Iranian military aircraft has come under scrutiny after questions were raised about the credibility of one of its lead reporters.

Journalist Fahd Husain highlighted concerns over the story, pointing out that CBS News producer James LaPorta had previously been dismissed from the Associated Press in 2022 over a major reporting error involving missile strikes in Poland.

According to Husain, LaPorta was part of an AP bulletin that incorrectly reported Russian missiles had crossed into Poland and caused casualties. The claim was later corrected after it emerged that the missiles were Russian-made but fired by Ukraine in a defensive strike. The Associated Press subsequently terminated his employment following the incident.

Husain, speaking on his programme and on X, questioned the reliability of the CBS report, saying it relied on limited anonymous sourcing and lacked corroborating evidence. He also criticised the broader credibility of the claims, arguing that the reporting standards did not meet journalistic expectations.

The CBS report in question, published earlier this week, alleged that Pakistan had quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to use its airfields, potentially shielding them from US airstrikes. The report cited unnamed US officials.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected the claim, calling it “misleading and sensationalised.” It clarified that the aircraft in question had arrived under logistical arrangements linked to diplomatic discussions between Tehran and Washington, and denied any military-related purpose or protective intent.

Several Pakistani journalists also pushed back on the report. Some said the aircraft arrivals took place after a ceasefire and were part of diplomatic coordination, while others described the CBS story as lacking solid grounding and reliant on speculative framing.

The controversy has added to ongoing debate over international reporting on Pakistan and the importance of verified sourcing in sensitive geopolitical coverage.