Commentary: Fatal Flaws

[Speed on the Water]

When it comes to reporting fatalities, there’s no room for error, https://speedonthewater.com/in-the-news/commentary/5422-commentary-fatal-flaws.

[Ratickle]

Almost too politically correct Matt, but accurate.

I would go a step further though, any responsible people should not report rumors. If you cannot document it as accurate, don't report.

It's like the accident in Boyne. We knew about it. We knew what had happened, the only question was had they hit an object as the occupants in the boat said or had there been some major mechanical failure that made it seem that way.

But, we were asked by the event organizers not to put anything out until they had made their official statement through the newspaper. So we waited.

Then, the next morning before we released, when we got to the restaurant for lunch one of the hostesses there approached and said how sorry she was about the death from the accident. Obviously we informed her she was mistaken, and as soon s the local paper had released the story we went out with what had happened.

But, somebody had been spreading rumors, and that has to stop.

If you don't know for sure, just say so. If you hear an undocumented rumor, tell people that is just a rumor so far.

[Drock78]

Social media is half of the problem. The other half is the people who don't know what they're talking about. So many people feel the need to put everything on social media to get some attention. I'm sure Steve's accident was all over FB within the hour.

[Ratickle]

Social media is probably 90% of the problem. :banghead: