The Web Gets a Scoop (Congratulations, Free Republic!)

Wall Street Journal ^ | Feb. 2, 2003 | James Taranto

[conservativegirl]

Free Republic mentioned in Best of the Web. Way to go Freepers! (Sorry if this is already posted - didn't see it).

[Spirited]

Vital!

[Indy Pendance]

Cool, they even have a link to the thread!

[isthisnickcool]

BUMP-A-SCOOP!

[Chi-townChief]

It's just a shame that it had to come on such a bad event but I guess it's true what they say: no news is good news.

[MozartLover]

Check it out; look at "Web Gets A Scoop".

This is the thread I linked to ATRW yesterday afternoon.......

[Howlin]

You guys made the big time!

[Bob]

A snip of the relevant portion:

It's said that journalism is the first draft of history. If so, the Internet sometimes affords us a glimpse at history's rough outline. At 8:38 a.m. EST yesterday, a reader of the Free Republic Web site started a discussion thread for shuttle enthusiasts:

Space Shuttle Columbia is in a decent for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will pass over the San Francisco Area around 6:00 AM Pacific Time. Route will take the Shuttle over Las Vegas, Flagstaff, etc. NASA has still not decided which runway will be used. Landing will be at 9:16 AM Eastern.

Other Freepers joined in, describing the view of the descending shuttle from the West Coast--then gradually realizing something was amiss. Someone asks at 8:58 a.m. EST, "Was it glowing at all?" The first clear sign of trouble comes in a post at 9:05 a.m. We won't quote any more than this, because you really have to read the full thread to appreciate the drama. But it's worth noting that the first word of trouble didn't come across the Associated Press wire until 9:16, the scheduled landing time. Free Republic scooped the AP by at least 11 minutes--which is an eternity in the competitive world of wire-service reporting.

The article includes a link back to the FR thread. I hope this isn't too big a snip. If it is, please delete it, Admin Moderator

[Howlin]

The Web Gets a Scoop
It's said that journalism is the first draft of history. If so, the Internet sometimes affords us a glimpse at history's rough outline. At 8:38 a.m. EST yesterday, a reader of the Free Republic Web site started a discussion thread for shuttle enthusiasts:

Space Shuttle Columbia is in a decent for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will pass over the San Francisco Area around 6:00 AM Pacific Time. Route will take the Shuttle over Las Vegas, Flagstaff, etc. NASA has still not decided which runway will be used. Landing will be at 9:16 AM Eastern.

Other Freepers joined in, describing the view of the descending shuttle from the West Coast--then gradually realizing something was amiss. Someone asks at 8:58 a.m. EST, "Was it glowing at all?" The first clear sign of trouble comes in a post at 9:05 a.m. We won't quote any more than this, because you really have to read the full thread to appreciate the drama. But it's worth noting that the first word of trouble didn't come across the Associated Press wire until 9:16, the scheduled landing time. Free Republic scooped the AP by at least 11 minutes--which is an eternity in the competitive world of wire-service reporting.

[ladyinred]

It was amazing to read the live thread as it happened!
So happy to see that the Journal acknowledged the fact!
This happens often here, such as the earthquake that happened a few minutes ago in the Bay area of California!

[nicmarlo]

I read that thread, yesterday afternoon......it was emotional, to say the least....first to read the eager anticipation, then the concern and confusion, and ultimately, to read the confirmed realization that something definitely was very wrong.....

[TLBSHOW]

Told ya!

[Howlin]

Link to FR thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833885/posts

[Dog]

Yes it is Mozie..

This site is cutting edge.

[Clara Lou]

Impressive!

[Angelwood]

Thanks for posting this article. FReepers -- We're Everywhere! We do have people throughout the country and beyond who post breaking news and scoop the mainstream press -- often. Well done.

[Dog]

This is why we need a live discussion thread daily......news breaks when you least expect it.....

[Johnny Gage]

HOOOOYAH for the Robinson's. Scooping AP. What a wonderful world.

[dfwgator]

I live hear in Texas, and I didn't hear anything. I found out what happened a few hours later. But reading the original thread was chilling! Reminds me of reading the original 9-11 threads.

[big'ol_freeper]

big'ol_bump