Posted on 02/03/2005 9:23:28 AM PST by BJungNan
News forum that caught CBS fake National Guard documents shines light on another media blunder
"I need you all to look at this photo and tell me if you think the vest is what is being issued and worn in Iraq. Also does the M-16 shown look small?" - posted on 02/01/2005 11:26:05 AM PST by Dog
"Ok, some things I'd like to point out... first, that vest, and those boots, they aren't military issue, if they are I've never seen em. Next, the mag in the M4 isn't issued I believe, it looks like a mag you would buy for civilian use." - posted on 02/01/2005 11:27:15 AM PST by BladeLWS
"Is this a hoax? The 'captured soldier' suspiciously looks like a doll for sale on the internet." - posted on 02/01/2005 11:27:22 AM PST by BlackRain
"Did you ever consider becoming an investigative journalist? You just broke this story wide open." - posted on 02/01/2005 11:29:45 AM PST by 1LongTimeLurker
" I can't take any credit for the find. These guys deserve the credit - MilitaryPhotos.net - posted on 02/01/2005 11:35:09 AM PST by BlackRain
"hee hee ....how embarrassing for AP." - posted on 02/01/2005 11:35:35 AM PST by Gator101
So goes a thread on the internet news forum Free Republic as a story about a toy soldier being held hostage was still being reported as a real hostage situation by the mainstream news media.
As noted in the thread reposted above, in this case Free Republic was not the first to discover the doll become "hostage" story - MilitaryPhotos.net was - but as the most popular political news forum on the internet, it was first to amplify the mainstream media mistake. And it was way ahead of that media in getting the story out.
It was the same news forum that first broke the CBS fake National Guard documents story. And so it has been on many other stories on a daily basis. Free Republic with its tens of thousands of citizen reporters, and commentators - albeit most of them amateur has become an influential source of news.
In this age of the communications revolution, two way news has become a reality. Free Republic has taken that revolution a step further.
And for fact checking - with those same tens of thousands of forum participants having expertise in a variety of fields and professions, you can find no better fact checking source for finding out a GI hostage was really a GI Joe.
Give credit where credit is due.
"changing the world"..
... one post at a time
:-)
WOO HOO!
That's the only down side to fame .. *L*
does anyone notice something strange about this picture of Chirac?
Cody has the 1000-yard stare, man. A Marine gets it after he's been in the sh*t for too long. It's like you've really seen...beyond. I got it. All field Marines got it. You'll have it, too.
Good job you guys!
Just when we get the last batch whipped into shape......LOL.
He doesn't have on makeup?
He doesn't have both hands in the air, i.e. the French Salute?
All your Barbies are belong to us...
LOL. John Adam is the new Tourist Guy. We aren't going to let them forget him!
Jim,
You have reaffirmed that belief in all of us. Thank you for this forum and the difference it has made in our world.
Kinda makes ya smile, don't it?
LOL
I have this suspicion Special Ops Cody will be pictured on a lot of special assignments here on FR.
Was this the one that was a doll?
Dog, I LOVE you!!
I now have newbie information on a notepad, ready to copy and paste in an instant. The one on "Too many vanities" is always the one most needed!
Fame has its price. ;)
"OH GAD, here come the newbies"
ROTFLOL! (but you're right).
I'll have to see if I can find it. I was there yesterday but I post too much. The editorial has a link I think. I'll go there and get it for you.
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