Reporting news in third-world countries like Iraq can be a difficult task, especially for Western journalists who are unfamiliar with the language and the culture of the region. As a result, many times the media get tricked by terrorist sympathizers who want to make America look bad. Things are further compounded by the left-wing bent of most Western journalists which makes them, like Dan Rather and his Burkett documents, suceptible to believe false stories they want to be true.

Fortunately, anti-American lies don't always get as far as the Haditha "murders" did. Witness the tale of Dia al-Kawwaz, a jihadist supporter journalist who falsely claimed (h/t Gateway Pundit) that some of his relatives were massacred, even going so far as to hold a fake funeral service for them. Kawwaz's plans were foiled, however, when his family turned up, very much alive:

The angry family of an Iraqi journalist went on local television on Wednesday to blast him for claiming they had been massacred three days ago by Shiite militiamen in Baghdad.

"We are still alive. Thank God!" the sister of the journalist said, before bursting into tears.

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The journalist, Dia al-Kawwaz, had said she was among the 11 family members slaughtered by militamen on Sunday in his home in Baghdad's northern Al-Shaab neighbourhood.

Al-Hurrah television paraded the relatives of Kawwaz, clearly alive -- and clearly angry.

"No one attacked us ... militias or special forces. Nobody stormed our home. He even organised a condolence meeting to mourn our deaths. But we are alive. We are ashamed that he is our brother," said the sister, wearing a green dress and headscarf.

State television also spoke to Kawwaz's mother who said she was in Kut, south of Baghdad.

"I disown him. I consider that I do not have a son. He is a liar," the agitated woman said on the channel which did not show her picture.

"We all are fine and peaceful, inshallah (God willing). I don't know why he did that."

After the broadcast, Kawwaz confirmed to AFP by telephone from Amman that those shown on Al-Hurrah were indeed his family members.

"She is my sister. They (government) forced her to appear on TV. They have been threatened with death and their passports have been confiscated by the interior ministry," Kawwaz said.

When probed further for details he suddenly hung up the phone saying: "Leave me alone."

Before he was caught, several media outlets had picked up his lies, even allowing Kawwaz to preen before cameras at a fake funeral service for his relatives.

Allahpundit has more on Kawwaz and his possible motives.

—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.