Media Falsley Reports Miners Found Alive For Hours, On Front Pages Across Country...
In one of the most disturbing and disgraceful media performances of its kind 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 mix-up on "miscommunication."
For hours, starting just before midnight, newspaper reporters and anchors such as MSNBC's Rita Crosby interviewed euphoric loved ones and helped spread the news about the miracle rescue. Newspaper Web sites announced the happy news and many put it into print for Wednesday right at late deadlines. "They're Alive!" screamed the banner headline in the Indianapolis Star. Even the Los Angeles Times, three hours behind on the West Coast, carried the front page headline: "Suddenly There is Joy: 12 Miners Found Alive." The Boston Globe at least added a qualfier to its banner hed: "12 Miners Reportedly Found Alive."
Editor & Publisher | Greg Mitchell | January 4, 2006 11:44 AM