Posted on 01/04/2006 3:57:30 AM PST by Erik Latranyi
Once again, the MSM (mainstream media)has exposed its complete lack of credibility, decency, morality and integrity.
The story this morning of the trapped West Virginia miners is just another example of how our primary sources of information cannot be trusted.
Let's face facts, folks....even here at FR, we get our information from the MSM. However, by assembling many sources and then testing those sources against the combined experiences of those on this forum, we determine whether a particular story passes the smell test.
However, in order to separate the wheat from the chaff, we must still have some faith in some of the sources of stories we read. Unfortunately, that faith is continually shaken by the exposing of media bias, sloppiness, immorality, etc.
What appears to have happened this morning with the trapped miners story is that some members of the media were in the vicinity of the command post when the radio call from the mine came back that the miners were found.
It was from that single thread of information that the story appeared to break out that the miners were all found alive. Even the governor, who stated he had to ask his security detail what was going on , was not aware of the breaking story that all 12 remaining miners were found alive. You see, the governor was in the church with the families. A single family member received a phone call from someone watching the news that it is was being reported that all 12 remaining miners were found alive. That family member announced the news to the others in the church and then the bells started ringing.
The media will hide behind the "unconfirmed report" label that was ignored. The media will refuse to take responsibility (most are liberals after all) for toying with the lives and hearts of the families of those who were lost. The media will refuse to acknowledge any need to show concern for those waiting nearly 2 days for news about their loved ones, but will talk about the need to be first with the story.
Just like Hurricane Katrina reports about rapes and murders and 10,000 dead, the media has demonstrated that facts do not matter.
Just like on 9-11, when the media was reporting at least 10,000 dead in the twin towers.
Just like, just like, just like..........
So, let us use this space to compile a list of the media mistakes. Let us make this the news and let us refer back to this thread whenever a news story breaks and our "trusted" sources get it wrong----again.
Suing whom, I have no idea but it hardly seemed like grief for a lost parent but rather an opportunity to cash in on a tragedy.
EXACTLY!! I agree 100%
Yes, it is a tragedy and it needs to be investigated as to who told these families they were alive.
They reported what the governor announced.
The more I'm hearing and seeing this morning on all the cable stations- the more impressed I am with what he said.
It's really jaw-dropping watching this unfold.
I'm sending Hemmer an e-mail of appreciation- he was very stand up about it.
It seems fairly clear that the media was completely outside of the loop of information that caused the families in the church to start celebrating.
He does look embarrassed this AM....and truly he was extremely happy at 12:30 AM....
But he is trying to justify as well.....he even brought in his cameraman to verify the story that Hemmer heard.
Sad.
Even before the truth was revealed I was praising Hemmer on FR early this morning.
The media needs to throw dirt on the mine owner to divert attention from their role in this misinformation.
What a horrible thing for the families to go through, isn't it?
Good for Hemmer.
PS What's up with the new makeup artist? Brit Hume is an attractive man, and his makeup was very badly done in last night's Special Report.
I think it's some of the families too? Earlier in the Thread, someone had posted that a relative was planning to sue.
No amount of money will bring anyone back. And it never "hurts" the "people" you think it will when the company is fined.
"Just saw on TV that the families are now talking about going for life's lottery over the reports in error. My heart goes out for their losses. My ire is raised over the greed that they are expressing."
I have my own personal view of those who whose minds would turn to money in the midst of such a terrible loss.
In addition to the Katrina falsehoods you mentioned, here's a few others:
They reported that John Paul II died some hours before he passed.
They reported that a document prepared with MSWORD was typed in 1972.
They reported that Florida voted for Gore in 2000.
They reported that Joe Steffen spread rumors about Martin O'Malley using FR, and they did not report that it was a RAT operative whose account they accessed who actually spread the rumors.
They reported that Valerie Plame had covert status with the CIA.
Need I go on?
..I guess I've been harsh on Hemmer...
..I didn't hear the 5:30 report that SE Mom did....
...a little later he sounded genuinely distressed, and I believe he is...
..and I must admit at 12:30AM he was so very happy that the news appeared true.
From what I saw in the few hours I watched,he comported himself well.
Wonder how they'll handle a dirty-bomb going off in Manhattan?
I've not seen a scrap of evidence indicating this; the celebrations in the church began without any media involvement, and that celebration was the source of the media story.
My old division commander used to say, "The first report is *always* wrong." That's true in the media as well.
..."I don't believe anyone did this out of malice.
It was simply an unfortunate combination of wishful thinking and incompetence.
Just sad, really."...
The desire to "scapegoat" for political, personal or others reasons is the despicable factor in all of this. This was a tragic situation which the nation has followed hour by hour and the emotional component became huge. However, we must remember that other smaller tragedies are happening to people as we speak. We are trapped in an imperfect world and we are mortal..We do not have all the answers to every question, yet we are blamed for not being able to predict and prevent any and all suffering. We are not God..Some of us try to have faith in the midst of a journey none of us asked for. However, we were born..We are here and at this moment witnessing the pain of our brothers and sisters in W VA. It will not relieve one moment of their distress for us to find someone, just anyone to punish for their grief. Some leftists and environmentalists will use this to try to eliminate coal companies. I just hope the American public will assess this in the light of some common sense.
It was news everyone so desperately wanted to hear! Very sad. I was devastated when the truth came out.
The timeline of actual events and news reports do not back up your speculation.
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