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News Tip: W. Va. Case Shows How New Technologies Magnify Importance of Fact Checking

The communications mix-up regarding the fate of 12 West Virginia miners is an unfortunate consequence of the times, says Kenneth Rogerson.

Tuesday night's communications mix-up about the fate of 12 miners in West Virginia is an unfortunate consequence of the times --- in which the omnipresence of cell phones, PDAs and other devices allows news to be quickly spread, says a Duke University research professor who studies the relationship between technology and news.

"If people responsible for disseminating critical information are not extra vigilant about confirming its accuracy, it won't have just negative consequences, but catastrophic effects," said Kenneth Rogerson.

When word began to spread that most of the trapped miners were alive, "this wonderful, desired news took on a life of its own through easily accessible and available cell phone technology," Rogerson noted. "The families weren't the only ones who were caught in this network of freely flowing -- and unverified -- information. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin was a very reliable source for media organizations."

Only later was it learned that all but one of the miners had died.