The World Newser is World News' daily blog. Here, you'll find our staff's thoughts on the day's news and the way we build our broadcast. Plus, we'll share reports from our team of correspondents in the field, as well as producers behind-the-scenes.
RECENT POSTS
- Going Rogue, Selling High
- What One Man 200 Miles Above Earth is Thankful For Today
- Clem's Chronicles: Toyota Recall/Afghan Speech/State Dinner Crashers
- Charlie Gibson...On this Thanksgiving
- Quotes of the Day: 'It is my intention to finish the job'
- Start Your Shopping Engines
- The Hajj and Women's Dress
- Clem's Chronicles: Afghanistan/WH State Dinner/Holiday Travel
- Photos: White House State Dinners Through the Years
- Are We Becoming A Nation of Know-Nothings?
- Quotes of the Day: 'President Obama has the information he wants... to make his decision'
- Clem's Chronicles: Jobs/Afghanistan/Health Care Reform/Deficit
WORLD NEWSER CATEGORIES
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Anatomy Of A Rumor
December 04, 2008 4:39 PM
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) sent ripples around the news world an hour ago with a report that "six gunmen have been shot dead" at the airport in the Indian capital Delhi.
Our correspondent called to say it wasn't clear anyone had actually been shot. The BBC Foreign Desk said its reporter had been told of the shootings as he checked in for a flight. Our man in Delhi again: "a bit premature," he said. No reports of a shooting. "Things proceeding normally." Still, there were the cable networks -- and the Reuters wire: UP TO SIX GUNMEN SHOT BY INDIAN SECURITY FORCES AT DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - BBC WEBSITE QUOTING AIRPORT OFFICIALS.
OK, so back we went to our people. What gives?
"Police tell me they found nothing suspicious," said our reporter, "but a person inside has been around gunfire and insists she heard at least two shots -- likely handguns, she says. "So we should characterize it as 'possible gunfire' or something similar. But to reiterate -- there is no evidence anyone was shot, no evidence this was some kind of attempt to take over or kill anyone, no evidence things aren't running relatively normally."
Finally, from our London desk: "We called Delhi airport security control room. They said nothing happened. All rumors." Followed soon after by an update from Reuters: EYEWITNESS SAYS OPERATIONS NORMAL AT DELHI AIRPORT, NO SIGN OF TROUBLE. INDIAN TV SAYS TWO SHARP SOUNDS STARTED SCARE AT DELHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. POLICE FIND NOTHING SUSPICIOUS.
Glad to hear it. Now back to the real news.
December 4, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (2)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
The media seems to thrive on unsubstantiated reports in the quest for "breaking news". Children at play is the level of "professionalism" shown by todays reporters.
Posted by: independentview | Dec 4, 2008 5:24:20 PM
But the post mortem on the rumor isn't complete. What were actually the "sharp sounds" heard at the airport that sounded so much like gunfire?
Posted by: kat | Dec 4, 2008 5:41:57 PM
Post a comment
