Media Reports Miracle Mine Rescue, Then Carries the Tragic Truth
From Editor & Publisher:
NEW YORK In one of the most disturbing and disgraceful media performances of this type in recent years, television and newspapers carried the tragically wrong news late Tuesday and early Wednesday that 12 of 13 trapped coal miners in West Virginia had been found alive and safe. Hours later they had to reverse course, often blaming the mixup on "miscommunication."According to Editor & Publisher, Anderson Cooper "ripped the coal company at 3 a.m. for not correcting the wrong reports for so long, but did not explain why CNN went with the good news without strong confirmation." [ emphasis added ] That is good question. I was watching Fox when the good news was broadcast. The reporters jumped on the news immediately. I was very happy, and of course it's easy to get wrapped up in the moment. I'm sure it was the same for everyone there at the mine. But aren't journalists supposed to be more detached and skeptical than their audience?
In my opinion the biggest loser of the evening was Geraldo Rivera. He showed up seemingly out of nowhere just as the misleading news began circulating and jumped right into his usual spotlight grabbing, ham routine. So obnoxious did it become, that I had to change from Fox to CNN. How did that man ever rise above the level of a tabloid reporter? Or has he?
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