CNN Jumps the Gun on Coast Guard Story

[maddezmom]

By Howard Kurtz and Paul Duggan
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, September 12, 2009

The "news," such as it was, quickly hit the media echo chamber.

"SUSPICIOUS VESSEL IN DC/Coast Guard fires on boat on Potomac River," said CNN's "breaking news" headline at 10:05 a.m. Friday.

Six minutes later, an "URGENT" bulletin flashed from Reuters, which attributed the information to CNN.

That prompted Fox News to report that shots had been fired, citing Reuters as its source. "Report: Coast Guard Fires on Suspicious Boat in Potomac," Fox News's headline said.

At 10:29, the "crisis" began to evaporate as CNN quoted two unidentified sources as saying the incident had been a "possible" Coast Guard training exercise. That is precisely what it was. No shots were ever fired; they had merely been described on a radio scanner.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/11/AR2009091103842.html?nav=hcmodule

[ixion]

1. The story went through dozens of so-called journalists and editors hands

and no one ever thought to verify the story before they ran it.

Amazing. Simply amazing. :wow:

[Kahuna]

4. But..but..but..'bloggers don't verify their stories...'

:eyes:

[Chemisse]

2. It is illegal for reporters to use police scanner information

As sources in a story.

When I was a reporter I would use the scanner to get info, then call or go out to verify.

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Anything to Divert attention from the real news ,and their not even embarrassed.