When News Breaks, Scanners and Social Media Can Create a Cloud of Errors for News Outlets

By: Paul Farhi | Washington Post

So much was misreported in the first few hours after the shooting rampage at Washington’s Navy Yard.

Initial reports said that as many as three gunmen were involved. Then two. Then one. Then back to three. That four people were dead. But maybe six were. By midday, CNN had settled for “multiple.”