Over 2 million Americans and many others around the world watch Bill O'Reilly's "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News Channel. But yesterday, the programme, which is often refered to as the "No Spin Zone" spun out of control in joyous celebration of the death of the Al Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Bill O'Reilly highlighted reports that he claimed were those of "...free world insurgents..." who felt that US President Bush was worse than Zarqawi.

He then went onto highlight a BBC News report which said, and I quote...

"...The killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a major and rare success for the US military... though the Americans themselves had over the years helped to build up the reputation of Zarqawi, a focus that probably ended up exaggerating his role ..."

Mr O'Reilly also described the BBC as "...the anti-American BBC..." and said that the BBC "...wanted the US and their own country to lose in Iraq..."

He then talked about "...the failing Air America radio network..."  and in particular two of the network's hosts, Jerry Springer and Randi Rhodes. He played two clips taped from air. 

It's clear to me that Mr O'Reilly has missed some of the key news developments that have come out of Iraq in recent weeks.  This one in particular, came out back in April. The news that Zarqawi had been replaced as the leader of the Insurgency by an Iraqi. Remember, Zarqawi, like so many members of the Insurgency was not an Iraqi. He came from Jordan.

It's also clear that Bill O'Reilly knows little about the BBC. If he knew anything at all, he should know that the BBC has to be, by law, unbiased. That means that the BBC does not want the UK and US to lose in Iraq, they are not anti-American. They are just doing what all good journalists do and that is report the truth.

Now, I know from both sides of the experience that the truth hurts, and it can be especially damaging to those who don't want to hear it, only to discover it for themselves later. I only deal with the truth and with cold hard facts.

It's far too easy for our feelings to get the better of us. There is no doubt that Zarqawi was an incredibly dangerous and evil individual. But that does not mean we should be "...celebrating..." his death, as Bill O'Reilly is.  Rather, we should be relieved that one large battle has been won.