Here is a teachable moment about internet “news”, rumors, misinformation and what your responsibility is

In the inner sanctum of the KIT newsroom where we gather to plot out each day’s program we recently got word of a possible HOT talk topic -- the Navy was going to go after Navy Lt. Cmdr Timothy White.   White was one of those shot by Muhammad Abdulazeez , the Islamic radical in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The potential problem was that White fired back.  He used his own personal firearm which was illegal for carry and use on base.

This action by the Navy would be outrageous of course and so the Political Insider reported Allen West jumped into action.

Colonel West writes, “ I can confirm that the United States Navy is bringing charges against Lt. Cmdr Timothy White for illegally discharging a firearm on federal property.  The text message asked if it would be possible for Lt.Cmdr White to reach out to me. To wit I replied, affirmative.”

Ok, game on. This sounds very plausible, expected even.  Roll tape, open the microphone, let’s go…wha..wait, time out…. it IS or it isn’t happening?

Stow the outrage sailor, it’s not happening – yet!

No need to channel your inner Woodward & Bernstein when just a little digging pops this quote to the surface from al.com.  "Stories of Navy personnel being charged with an offense are not true. There is still a long way to go in reviewing the facts of this tragic incident, but at this time we can confirm no service member has been charged with an offense," the Navy said in a statement posted to social media.     http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/navy_denies_reports_sailor_wil.html

Now this doesn’t mean that the Navy won’t ultimately choose to file charges but the West words of warning

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images
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seems to have calmed the waters for now.

The point of all this is a reminder to us and encouragement for you to borrow a lesson from carpentry—measure twice, cut once.  Double Check!  We have a responsibility to pass on the truth, or at least we need to make an effort to check things out beyond the surface with an extra click or two before we post or before we take it to the airwaves!

We hope that you will do what President Reagan used to say to do.  Trust—but VERIFY!

 

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