Last night I sat here in front of my computer and watched as events unfolded at Desoto. What I learned had nothing to do with Desoto, it’s owner, ASA, or anyone directly connected with those events. In fact, no media article or report I have seen so far has answered my basic questions about what transpired. Those facts have yet to be uncovered, and hopefully will come to light soon. That aside, I learned that as race fans, drivers, and track officials, employees, and promoters, we all need to carefully watch from where our information comes and make sure that the info we receive is good info before running our mouths or our fingers.
As the whole ugly incident progressed, it became apparent that some sources for “news” and information about racing in Florida are not what they claim to be. Just because a website states that they offer “news,” does not in any way insure that they offer their version of events with any sort of journalistic integrity. True journalists check and recheck sources, never publish second hand info unless they state that it came from an unconfirmed source, and do their darndest to be accurate with the facts. This is NOT about message boards! This is about RACING MEDIA, or what represents itself to be racing media in this state.
I was looking at four different online media outlets last night as everything progressed. Some of the outlets were related and some were not. While some stepped back and gathered facts, others leaped into action with “breaking stories” about the incident. And in one glaring move, at least one website posted information that was presented as hard news that turned out to be patently false, and nothing more than second hand info gleaned from a cell phone. That info was later updated at least three times as the evening progressed, each time with no retraction of what had been stated previously. Having worked in the world of media myself, I know that is a huge no no!
My purpose here is not to name names or point fingers. All I am saying is for all of us to please be careful as to what we take as fact. Just because a website or media outlet represents itself as a “news” source does not mean that they are good journalists, and there is no guarantee that the info they provide is factual. A proper journalist will offer a “breaking news” flash with info on what is going on, but will withhold information that cannot be confirmed. Accusing people of assault when it cannot be confirmed, or stating that someone has been arrested and taken to jail when they have not been, is reckless, irresponsible, and deserving of a slander suit. Editing that infomation out later on and replacing it with more factual information is no excuse, nor a free pass for publishing falsehoods in the first place. And if by chance if something unconfirmed ends up being stated as fact, the proper process is to offer a retraction and not try to cover a lack of journalistic morals with a hastily done edit.
What angers me about the whole thing is that some people can get away with publishing totally false statements as fact, then later just wipe it away as if it never was there. Mistakes happen, but this was far beyond an accidental release of unconfirmed information, especially when no retraction was offered, nor an apology to those affected. Message boards are where I would expect to find such statements and not in something claiming to be journalism.
So please, when reading information, even if it comes from what looks like a credible source, watch and wait and allow all of the facts to come in. With time and and patience, you will get the facts and not a bunch of mixed up heresay that later turns out to be false.