Sunday
Feb072010
When news breaks, we fix it
That was the old slogan of Jon Stewart's Daily Show. This morning, while I was in a meeting, my cell phone reported the following 'breaking news' from CNN:
"-- An explosion at a Connecticut power plant near Hartford has caused "mass casualties," authorities say."
Pretty scary. What was it? What's going on? Well it turns out, now, 6 hours later, that "at least 5" people died, and 12 injured. Still a serious accident but how can CNN justify that kind of sensational report sent out on their 'breaking news' text message?
I was talking this weekend to someone with a lot of experience as a journalist and he said, to my surprise, that news organizations don't even bother 'fact checking' stories now. Gone are the days I remember from 'All the President's Men' when every story had to be confirmed independently by one, maybe two other sources.
"-- An explosion at a Connecticut power plant near Hartford has caused "mass casualties," authorities say."
Pretty scary. What was it? What's going on? Well it turns out, now, 6 hours later, that "at least 5" people died, and 12 injured. Still a serious accident but how can CNN justify that kind of sensational report sent out on their 'breaking news' text message?
I was talking this weekend to someone with a lot of experience as a journalist and he said, to my surprise, that news organizations don't even bother 'fact checking' stories now. Gone are the days I remember from 'All the President's Men' when every story had to be confirmed independently by one, maybe two other sources.
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 8:51PM 
Reader Comments (1)
Yes, these days, I take it as a given assumption that the news organizations don't check their facts. There is a great documentary film about Alan Abel, a man who spent a few decades of his life creating media hoaxes, fake press conferences, satirical activist groups.. and the media fell victim nearly every time.
(www.alanabel.com)
I didn't get a chance to talk to you at Jerry's retreat, but nice to meet you virtually!