Did Times' fall for fake Kerry photo?

As we've said before, journalists would be smart to check Snopes.com regularly for urban legends circulating online -- and to be wary of anything circulating via e-mail.

Looks like The New York Times may have slipped up this time.

Romenesko reader Tim Hill says in a letter on Poynter's site:

In a Feb 13th NYT article titled "Conservatives Shine Spotlight on Kerry's Antiwar Record," the following passage appears:

"And on Thursday, a new photograph of the senator and the actress began circulating via e-mail. Unlike the image Mr. Sampley bought, which shows Mr. Kerry seated several rows behind Ms. Fonda, this picture -- its origins are unclear -- shows them side by side, Ms. Fonda behind a microphone and Mr. Kerry, holding a notebook, to her right."

The photo is a hoax according to snopes.com, a respected urban myth debunking site:

"Someone has grafted an image of Jane Fonda with a microphone onto the picture and mocked it up as a newspaper photo to create an impression of closeness between the subjects."

Here are some tips for checking information online...

Feb 16, 2004 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT | PERMALINK | DISCUSS(0)

Discussion

0 comments about 'Did Times' fall for fake Kerry photo?'

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address (will not be published):

Comment on "'Did Times' fall for fake Kerry photo?'":


Security code:     Enter code to post:

Site Map