With Web, facts are often trailing speedy rumors

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/7976523.htm

When a gaggle of national political reporters sat down to an Italian dinner in Milwaukee on Thursday night, they were too wired to read the menu. Instead, they peppered one another with questions: "What do you hear? What do you know?"

It was fruitless. They had all heard the same rumor - that Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry had allegedly dallied with an unnamed woman - but nobody "knew" anything, beyond the fact that the rumor had been floated on a right-wing Web site that bills itself as 80 percent accurate.

But six days later, now that the frenzy has subsided, it's possible to look back and track the rumor as it moved like a virus through the media bloodstream - demonstrating, yet again, the ways in which instantaneous scandal-mongering threatens traditional news values, warps the discourse of campaigns, and imperils political careers.

In this case, despite the best efforts of the anonymous tipsters, the rumor flopped. As posted last Thursday on the Drudge Report Web site, the "world exclusive" stated that some respectable news outlets were looking into whether the rumor had any basis in fact. But apparently there is no such fact, because Kerry's alleged lover now says there is nothing to allege.

Very good recap of the events of the week. Check out the whole article.

[La_Serpiente]

1. Wow

it is like a massive web of connecting the dots.

the last paragraph:

For some conservatives, the Kerry rumor is still "out there." In the chat room on FreeRepublic.com, they don't buy Polier's denial. As "Doctor Raoul" writes: "Was she threatened? Were parents pressured?... It's time for John to release all his records with regard to 'Le Affair Kerry.' "

They are still peddling crap.

[fjc]

2. I disagree about the mainstream press.

They came at this thing with their tails firmly between their legs and downcast eyes, apologizing for having to mention it lest their competition gets there first. That certainly was the way CNN approached it. In short, their cowards.

[74dodgedart]

3. Clark Comment

Apparently, the whole thing was based on a National Enquirer story


http://www.drudgereport.com/mattjk7.htm

[74dodgedart]

4. Another reporter speaks up about Clark comment

Reporter was at off-the-record meeting--

http://www.tnr.com/blog/campaignjournal?pid=1337