The paper posted a revised story to its Website. But according to Steve Outing of Editor and Publisher, the original story remained on the Web, accessible through a search service. When the public can get information from dozens of different places, news organizations understandably feel pressured. They are legitimately concerned about losing audience if they appear to fall behind on a story. But the risks of rushing ahead are equally great, not only for the truth but for the credibility of the news organization reporting information that later turns out to be false.
Hearsay is treated as evidence.
Accusations are reported as charges. Journalists aggressively pursuing the truth need to pause to consider the potential harm that may be caused by how they behave as well as by what they report. To no one's surprise, much of downtown Washington became a mob scene, as crowds of reporters and photographers took up positions wherever they might hope to see someone connected with the case. Covered live on the all-news channels, their pushing and shoving does nothing to enhance the standing of the news media. One television consultant warned stations in the days after the story broke to be careful about appearing to enjoy it just a little too much.