July 1st Update – Just noticed that NBC Action News has revamped their video player and older videos are no longer supported. The transcript of the video is still provided on their website.
Original Post:
Despite community outreach efforts to locate a serial rapist in the Waldo area of Kansas City, MO, it’s unfortunate that some people have the audacity to push false information into the social realms, which has created a false sense of hope within the Waldo community.
Unlike journalists who are ethically required to back up their stories with facts, the general public has free reign to post content (fact or fiction) through blogs, social networking sites and other online forums. This content is then viewed by both interested searchers and search engines, who spread and index the news through their normal channels. In most cases, accuracy is “assumed”. But you never know when there might be a bad apple in the bunch.
Sick joke by someone. I hadn’t heard of it.
It is true about the trust factor statement.
If you are going to add a catchy headline, to draw readers you better explain.