Facts, Pesky Little Bastards

The old media criticism of "never let the facts get in the way of a good story" is becoming the norm around these parts. 

Last week a number of local media outlets fell hook, like and sinker for a story of a benevolent individual who reportedly had purchased a vacant lot from the city for $208 and was offering accommodations to the homeless. The story soon fell apart when social media folks helped expose the individual's shady past including the fact that he had never purchased the property. Good intentions, but simple fact-checking might have saved embarrassment for WOWO, a few TV stations, and a well-regarded newspaper columnist. Ironically, a key factor in undoing the bogus story was information from the archives of the very media outlets who fell for the scam.  

Now, today, media is all excited to announce that the Ash Brokerage Skyline Parking garage is open for business. Just one problem.....the parking garage has been open for weeks. Today was merely an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. So, once again, our media gets the facts wrong....with the best of intentions.

Extra shame on WOWO calling city officials our city LEADERS. Come on, kids, we've talked about this before.

Here's 21Alive's story......oh, and the Maven can tell the new owners are cracking the whip when Jeff Bowman has to wear a tie. Sorry, dude. 

And bringing up the rear, literally and figuratively, WANE TV's effort....

Each story mentions the garage is now open....each story, from each media source is wrong since the garage, as noted above has been open for nearly a month. But, hell, who cares about facts when we have nice visuals of local politicians and their buddies looking good for the cameras and portraying themselves to be wonderful people?