An Honest Mistake

Given that there are already incorrect reports spreading on how the misinformation about Pat Burns' death spread this morning, here's exactly how it happened.

Star colleague Kevin McGran and I were standing outside the Leaf dressing room at the Mastercard Centre For Excellence when Cliff Fletcher walked out. He came over to say hello, shook hands, and then told us that Burns had passed away. He was obviously distraught, as he and Pat had been friends ever since he hired him to coach the Leafs.

Fletcher and I have had our ups and downs over the years, but he is still a senior executive with the Leafs and one of the most respected people in the game. It wasn't like someone whispered a rumour. It wasn't an off-the-cuff or off-the-record comment. He believed he was passing on sad news that the hockey world would want to know about. He didn't say what the source was of the information.

It's been suggested that Fletcher was approached by The Star and asked to comment on the news of Burns' death. That's not true. He told us the news.

Within seconds, a larger media group descended, and Fletcher agreed to comment at length about what he believed was the death of his friend. I stepped away and proceeded to report Fletcher's news on my Twitter account. This was no rush to "break" news, as some have tut-tutted. Fletcher had told a large group, which meant there was no news to "break." He wasn't a "source," per se that required corroboration; he was a public figure making a statement at a hastily called press gathering. Within moments, I had a call from a Montreal television station asking my source on the news. I cited Fletcher's comments.

As soon as it became clear the news was incorrect, I deleted the information from my Twitter account because I didn't want it to spread more by my doing. Clearly, however, there was nothing mischievous or malicious intended by Fletcher. Unfortunately, he soon after felt it necessary to release a statement apologizing for erroneously telling reporters that Burns had died.

I'm sure he feels terrible, but he shouldn't. He believed he was mourning a friend, and sharing sad news with people that know Burns well in a town where to many he is still beloved.

In the end, it was a great thing to be wrong about, as Pat is still with us. Probably having as big a belly laugh as he can manage.

Related:

Burns returns home, laughs off death reports

 

Comments

[carolyn]

well said, and as you've expressed, you were reporting the comments of a good friend of Mr. Burns. I can only imagine how Mr. Fletcher felt thinking his friend had passed. I'm glad we have a bit more time with Pat.

[Tom Butters]

How many of us would love to know what the world we leave would think about our passing. Pat has the chance to see exactly that. The huge outpour of emotion, the immense respect, the anger at him being passed up to get to the Hall of Fame. Damien, this is a gift we can all give to Pat. Please don't let it just go as just a mistake. Let him know how people felt. Play to him the wonderful piece from the Fan590. Let him read the comments. He gets to hear his eulogy. Give that to him. This isn't a mistake. This is wonderful!

All the Best

[Bob]

An excellent reason why Twitter is so stupid.

[Gregory Liverpool]

I don't belive this. Cliff should of done some research like call the family of Pat Burns in the first place or someone in the media like Kevin McGran should of called the family in the first place. This is bad media reporting in the first place and I expect this professionalism better from a news source like this one and others (The Score)

[B. Reynolds]

"Probably having as big a belly laugh as he can manage."

Really, now - was that last bit necessary, alluding to his weakened state? He didn't seem to be laughing much in the interview I read; in fact, he seemed rather p**sed off. I'll keep tutting you.

[Mike M]

It's amazing how fast I saw full page articles on Pat Burns about his death. All you guys have them done and you only need to do is insert the date and his age and press print.

[Anthony Banks]

Damien Cox writes, of Cliff Fletcher's statement to the media: "He wasn't a 'source,' per se that required corroboration; he was a public figure making a statement...."

I can't think of a better summation of the problem with establishment journalism: The pronouncements of a public figure--like a government official, or, in this case, an important hockey executive--no matter the truth or falsity of the information being provided, are to be treated with deference. Corroboration? Evidence? Why bother, when public officials can be taken at their word? What about just mild, journalistic curiosity about the source of Fletcher's information? Unnecessary, when Cox clearly sees his job as simply passing on, rather than investigating, unsubstantiated rumours.

[Andy Frank]

Sorry, Damien, this is basic 101 stuff; Fletcher as a public figure does not bypass the need to verify the story before publishing it. Did nobody learn anything from the Lightfoot experience?

[Kevin]

I did a report on an update on Pat Burns' situatio back in late July . I was taken to task by a minority of readers that it was not really "good journalism."

Yet a month and a half later, we hear pretty much the same, as what I had been reported, earlier this week, except in this case Mr. Burns himself was able to comment as opposed to my source.

I suspect Cliff Fletcher, who on some days appears not even to know who orwhere he is, may have misunderstood the reports he heard and passed it on to the Toronto MSM.

First an error on Mr. Fletcher's part for not verifying it, but he did apologize.

But this is a major league mistake by Mr. Cox for not doing likewise in both aspects.

Mr. Cox has been in the middle of a Twitter fight, with other bloggers, as of late, and this lame attempt at an apology on his part clearly knocks the wind out of the "elite credibility" of MSM. He merely tries to pass off the error on Mr. Fletcher's statement, rather than simply say, "Sorry, I screwed up."

[Regg from Guelph]

As far as I am concerned this is irresponsible reporting. Just because we live in the age of Twitter does not mean we omit verifying stories with actual fact. Its like last Steve Simmons twitted that Pat Burns is near death???? No basis for it just plain statement. Realize that none of you guys are being malicious but come on you hole everyone else to the fire when reporting so its only just that you receive the same in return.

[Ben Forgie]

I think the thing to remember here is that regardless who is making the statement (public figure or whomever), when the story is reporting on something with the magnitude of a death, always check your source. Always double check. Otherwise it becomes a "well he said..." type of reporting which I think is lazy and irresponsible. Damien, you should have checked this before getting it to Twitter. Were you trying to "break" the story? Perhaps not. Were you irresponsible in posting it without ensuring that it was true with a closer (and perhaps more coherent) source? Absolutely. I lost a lot of respect for you as a reporter today. Twitter has not done responsible journalism any favours.

[B. M.]

And now watch as our cynical & skepticism-addicted world attempt to tear strips off of Fletcher or Cox. Sometimes I just wish the 'cult of critical analysis' would take a break for a day or two....
.
Sounds like Cliff make an innocent mistake. To the idiot who said Fletcher 'should have double-checked his sources' - sigh....*shaking my head* ....man, he's not some basement-blogger trying to 'break' news before anyone else. Hell, he doesn't even have 'sources' in the typical sense. He was probably discussing Burn's status directly with the family - as a friend. Nothing more.
.
Somehow, what was relayed to Cox wasn't accurate. Damian provided a clear & genuine explanation of what occurred. End of story.

[Pension Plan Puppets]

Sorry Damien but you're ascribing far too much weight to your part in this. The reality is that it had taken on a life of its own long before you jumped in: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Pat-Burns-So-tough-he-defeated-his-own-obituar?urn=nhl-270529

[Bill Mogulsby]

The disingeuous part is the one where Cox cops to immediately releasing the news on his twitter acct and states this wasn't an attempt to "break" the news. Hey it's the guy's job I guess but in this age where anyone can be the first with the info, the more valued role of the journalist is the perspective which comes with reflection, the power of language and the ability to provide context.

[Gerry]

Everyone is in such a hurry to "break the story" first. You usually see the next day an article saying "as reported here first yesterday...."
Makes you wonder about the other stories sports reporters file from second hand sources.

[Leaf fans and those who wish they were]

An honest mistake. At least Fletcher apologized. Haven't seen any media types apologize for twittering or posting the news online. The media were the ones who spread the "news" and did it unverified. Shame.

[John]

Damien,

Totally understandable.

And by the way, while I've felt your criticism of Fletcher has been personal, and unjustifiable in the past, I must comment that neither of you has tried to pass the blame on the other and in my opinion that makes it a far more respectable situation.

While I'm sure you both feel bad no matter what anyone says - don't. This happens.

And if it happened near deadline time in old-school media days, this would have been a published story with the retraction coming 24 hours later - so don't blame twitter (although I don't "get" twitter).

J.