So, I've been a bit busy the last few days and had little computer access. I've been browsing DK from my phone; mostly just the front page and not very often. Yesterday I saw the diary titled "Whoa. SAE fraternity files lawsuit, denies they are racist, say they're being 'tarred and feathered'" and thought "Whoa, holy shit, these guys are idiots!"
Except it's not true. There is no lawsuit.
Last night I read the whole diary, including the link provided for the basis of the story:
NORMAN, Okla. — The local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon hired an attorney and could be planning to pursue legal action against the University of Oklahoma, and possibly OU President David Boren.So, they could be planning to pursue legal action, but they have not filed a lawsuit.
This was pointed out several times in the comment section, yet as of this morning when I logged back on, the diary was STILL on the rec list without a correction and had been shared and tweeted widely.
I haven't been able to confirm that "tarred and feathered" was a quote from the attorney representing them or a phrase used by the reporter of the story. I'm trying to clarify that now and will update when/if I can confirm the original source of that term. In other reports the same news station characterizes it as "branding." If this was a quote from Jones, it is horrific; if it was a paraphrase by the news station, it's probably the most tone-deaf way to report on a story. I've sent an email to the station for clarification.UPDATE (At the press conference on Friday, Jones said the members of the frat were painted “with a tar brush” so I believe the "tarred and feathered" quip was a direct quote. Ugh.)
This is embarrassing for DailyKos and seems to have become a pattern for the diarist in question. Every tweet and facebook share that went out on this (over 7,000 shares and 800 tweets) is a blow to this sites credibility. It's one thing to make a mistake and post a correction, but when completely inaccurate diary titles become a habit there's something wrong.
UPDATE: Since posting this diary, the diary in question has been shared 600 more times and was placed on the front page with the false title and all. It's embarrassing enough that it was on the rec list for a full day, now it'll be on the front page for how long?
It is completely false and being shared as a dailykos item. Kos, perhaps it's time to fact-check your own writers?
UPDATE II: The diary title in question has been changed to "SAE fraternity threatens lawsuit, denies they're racist, say they're being 'tarred and feathered."