Sidney Crosby Arrested in Ottawa (hoax)

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Locke

What happens if you dont? Are there stringent regulations? What are the consequences going to be for the Ottawa Sun for running this story?

That's an interesting question, actually. Externally, I suspect there would be few, if any, consequences unless Crosby opted to sue for defamation or something like that. Certainly Damien Cox faced no external consequence for completely failing at his job in prematurely reporting Pat Burns' death. But what do media companies do internally to address such errors?

[RandySportak]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have a question for you:

You spend a lot of time checking facts, and I believe you and give you credit for that.

What happens if you dont? Are there stringent regulations? What are the consequences going to be for the Ottawa Sun for running this story?

I'm not sure what's going to happen in Ottawa, but I'm guessing people are trying to figure out what happened, how it happened and I'm sure there will be consequences.

Stringent regulations? Not that I've been told beyond "be 100% sure", but I have my own personal standards I believe are very high and don't waver on. If someone can point out to me an incident where that's not true, feel free to remind me.
Stories are delayed because of an inability to get confirmation.
The notoriety of an erroneous story isn't worth the fallout. That's why I hate the rumour mongering of the hockey world.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's an interesting question, actually. Externally, I suspect there would be few, if any, consequences unless Crosby opted to sue for defamation or something like that. Certainly Damien Cox faced no external consequence for completely failing at his job in prematurely reporting Pat Burns' death. But what do media companies do internally to address such errors?

Originally Posted by RandySportak

I'm not sure what's going to happen in Ottawa, but I'm guessing people are trying to figure out what happened, how it happened and I'm sure there will be consequences.

Stringent regulations? Not that I've been told beyond "be 100% sure", but I have my own personal standards I believe are very high and don't waver on. If someone can point out to me an incident where that's not true, feel free to remind me.
Stories are delayed because of an inability to get confirmation.
The notoriety of an erroneous story isn't worth the fallout. That's why I hate the rumour mongering of the hockey world.

This is the issue though, if there are likely small, few or no consequences then the benefits outweigh the negatives and the paper still makes money so even internal discipline is likely to be light.

I understand that the reputation of the paper would be tarnished in cases like these, but in today's world of constant flow of information even that gets forgotten rather quickly.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by RandySportak

I'm not sure what's going to happen in Ottawa, but I'm guessing people are trying to figure out what happened, how it happened and I'm sure there will be consequences.

Stringent regulations? Not that I've been told beyond "be 100% sure", but I have my own personal standards I believe are very high and don't waver on. If someone can point out to me an incident where that's not true, feel free to remind me.
Stories are delayed because of an inability to get confirmation.
The notoriety of an erroneous story isn't worth the fallout. That's why I hate the rumour mongering of the hockey world.

Thanks for this. No reason to paint all reporters or even all Sun reporters with the same brush. But you must be embarrassed by this story, even if it isn't your own. It sure doesn't feel like it would take much reporting work to actually corroborate the "source" and fact check a bit to see if he was even in the country at that time.
It really is unfair to Crosby that this saw the light of day. I certainly hope there is a very public and contrite apology by the Sun.

[RandySportak]

Originally Posted by Locke

I understand that the reputation of the paper would be tarnished in cases like these, but in today's world of constant flow of information even that gets forgotten rather quickly.

Sadly, that's true, and there have been examples all over the place.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by RandySportak

Sadly, that's true, and there have been examples all over the place.

Fair enough. Thanks for coming in and discussing it with us, its always a pleasure to talk to people in the know.

[RandySportak]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Thanks for this. No reason to paint all reporters or even all Sun reporters with the same brush. But you must be embarrassed by this story, even if it isn't your own. It sure doesn't feel like it would take much reporting work to actually corroborate the "source" and fact check a bit to see if he was even in the country at that time.
It really is unfair to Crosby that this saw the light of day. I certainly hope there is a very public and contrite apology by the Sun.

I know it's put a huge damper on my day off because I know how hard so many of us work - including those in the news departments - to get the story right. But now those usual "typical Sun" comments come out. All people need to do is Google Jayson Blair and New York Times and they'll start a chase to see what other outlets have had happen.
It's not fun having your integrity questioned, especially by people who don't even know you, even when you're not involved in what happened.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by RandySportak

I know it's put a huge damper on my day off because I know how hard so many of us work - including those in the news departments - to get the story right. But now those usual "typical Sun" comments come out. All people need to do is Google Jayson Blair and New York Times and they'll start a chase to see what other outlets have had happen.
It's not fun having your integrity questioned, especially by people who don't even know you, even when you're not involved in what happened.

Yeah, 'Guilt by Association.'

Thats a tough stain to clear.

[burn_this_city]

Balancing speed and accuracy is probably difficult in a world of reporting news quickly before another outlet does.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Balancing speed and accuracy is probably difficult in a world of breaking news quickly before another outlet does.

Precisely. Which is why I was asking about the consequences.

If theres no checks then running a story fast to be first could conceivably outweigh the risks all the way up and down the ladder.

[Resolute 14]

BTW Randy, here's the cached copy of the story. It was very thin, and looks a lot like a case of "HOLY CRAP! GET THIS PUBLISHED NOW BEFORE THE OTHER OUTLETS BEAT US!!!!!!!1":

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=ca

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby was arrested by Ottawa Police late Tuesday while driving a rented Porsche, sources have told QMI Agency.

Reasons of his arrest were unknown, but appear to be driving related.

Sources say Crosby was taken to the Ottawa police headquarters on Elgin street for fingerprinting and a mugshot.

It is unknown at this time why the NHL star was in Ottawa.

Ottawa Police have been unable to be reached for comment.

QMI/Sun Media has posted a retraction:

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/201.../21915581.html

[RandySportak]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

BTW Randy, here's the cached copy of the story. It was very thin, and looks a lot like a case of "HOLY CRAP! GET THIS PUBLISHED NOW BEFORE THE OTHER OUTLETS BEAT US!!!!!!!1":

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=ca




QMI/Sun Media has posted a retraction:

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/201.../21915581.html

Thanks.
I think I'll tune out the world for a bit and try to enjoy my day off. This is frustrating for a few reasons and probably best to do some head clearing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by RandySportak

Thanks.
I think I'll tune out the world for a bit and try to enjoy my day off. This is frustrating for a few reasons and probably best to do some head clearing.

Just be sure that the next time theres a major trade that you let us know first!

[burn_this_city]

I wouldn't get too upset about things beyond your control.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by RandySportak

Thanks.
I think I'll tune out the world for a bit and try to enjoy my day off. This is frustrating for a few reasons and probably best to do some head clearing.

[speede5]

I don't actually have much of an issue with stories breaking and being retracted, crap happens and everyone is trying to get the jump. At least they get retracted.

My distrust of the media comes from stories where I know the background, when the topic is the company I work for, or something I am involved with, (particularly when I was in the military) and even though the facts are true they are written in a way to cast a bad light on something, without presenting both sides of the story. All too often articles are written in a Michael Mooreish manner, and when I can't read an article where I know the story, how can I belevie the ones where I don't?

[ramizle]

Was Tim Jackman in Ottawa? Maybe they got them mixed up.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by speede5

I don't actually have much of an issue with stories breaking and being retracted, crap happens and everyone is trying to get the jump. At least they get retracted.

My distrust of the media comes from stories where I know the background, when the topic is the company I work for, or something I am involved with, (particularly when I was in the military) and even though the facts are true they are written in a way to cast a bad light on something, without presenting both sides of the story. All too often articles are written in a Michael Mooreish manner, and when I can't read an article where I know the story, how can I belevie the ones where I don't?

It great that it was retracted, but the damage has been done and I think that hurts a lot of people associated with it or in the industry. I would imagine that players can hold a grudge and if sitting on a fence they just may remember an incident like this.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm glad it's not true. The NHL doesn't need that type of press for its marquee player.

I'm not a Crosby fanboy or anything, but he does seem like he is trying his best to be a positive role model.

[Timbo]

Has anyone heard from Sidney Crosbys Hat lately?