One group that prides itself on "...fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society" appears to be less dedicated to fact-checking. It now seems, however, that the residents of Little Falls, New York may be able to breathe a little easier.

In March WIBX First News with Keeler first told the story that the Southern Poverty Law Center had identified Little Falls, New York, as being the headquarters of "Radio Jihad," which the SPLC identifies as an anti-Muslim group.

WIBX called the Southern Poverty Law Center to notify their staff that, after our own investigation, it did not appear that the group was located in Little Falls.  Passed along to the SPLC too was the fact that WIBX had learned, through communication with members of Radio Jihad, that the group's members are based in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Arizona.  No city in the state of New York, they said, was more than an indirect connection.

WIBX post from March 26, 2015 Photo Credit: Bill Keeler
WIBX post from March 26, 2015 Photo Credit: Bill Keeler
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Although the Southern Poverty Law Center did not answer repeated telephone calls, e-mail messages, and requests for a statement or interview from WIBX, it now appears that - as of this posting - Little Falls has been removed from the group's Hate Map, and the list of hate groups being watch has a blank space next to the name of the city where Radio Jihad is located.  The SPLC did speak with The Little Falls Times.  In an article by Stephanie Sorrell-White, Heidi Beirich Director of Intelligence for the SPLC, blamed the mistake on a technical glitch, and said:

“We're angry and embarrassed...The Little Falls folks who called us, if it wasn't for those people who were engaged in civic activity and contacted us, that's how we knew we made this mistake.” 

The list now appears as pictured below:

Posting of Hatewatch List from Southern Poverty Law Center as of April 23, 2015 via http://www.splcenter.org/hate-map#s=NY
Posting of Hatewatch List from Southern Poverty Law Center as of April 23, 2015 via http://www.splcenter.org/hate-map#s=NY
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This story will be updated Monday, April 25, 2015 following Monday morning's broadcast of WIBX First News with Keeler.

(Story by: Bill Keeler and Kristine Bellino, WIBX / Townsquare Media)


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