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Friday, February 10, 2012

News / Media Well, if the Chinese Version of Twitter Says So, It Must Be True

Posted by on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 12:39 PM

Over at Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter, a rumor is currently running rampant that newly minted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un has been assassinated at the North Korean embassy in Beijing. Which is not nearly as interesting as the fact that Western news outlets are widely reporting a rumor from the Chinese equivalent to Twitter.

I mean, the likes of Gawker and HuffPo, I can understand. They're pretty much in the business of reprinting rumors. But "reputable" outlets like MSNBC, Reuters, and Forbes? Really? I mean, maybe Kim Jong-un is dead. Who knows? But some guy on Weibo isn't exactly a source.

[Slogtip Joe]

 

Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
Don't ask me. Ask the American version of Twitter. That version knows everything.
Posted by six shooter on February 10, 2012 at 1:03 PM
2
Why can't I choose both?
Posted by el ganador on February 10, 2012 at 1:06 PM
3
I voted journalism, but that doesn't mean I'm not mashing refresh on Google News about every 30 seconds.
Posted by Sean on February 10, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Simone 4
The Chinese equivalent of twitter is also reports that Jonas Brothers are the best band.
Posted by Simone on February 10, 2012 at 1:19 PM
aardvark 5
dead? DEAD? dead. this shit is Interesting. fucking snarky slog has to post a snark post, though, i know.
Posted by aardvark on February 10, 2012 at 1:19 PM
Keister Button 6
My only reliable source for death reports is alt.obituaries.
Posted by Keister Button on February 10, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Dougsf 7
I do sort of like the idea of all of North Korea staring suspiciously at each other, wondering if their supposed to cry or not.
Posted by Dougsf on February 10, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Rotten666 8
seems like the reputable outlets are pulling the story off the front page.
Posted by Rotten666 on February 10, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Fnarf 9
Seeing as how the first link that came up for a "kim jong un dead" search was from Forbes, and the preview text said it was from "being force fed hot dogs", I'm going to say "no".

Turns out that was a joke. So is this, from "comedian Chris Jenkins": "Due to mistranslation, there are rumors that Kim Jong Un was assassinated in China. What it actually said was that he assassinated a buffet."
Posted by Fnarf http://www.facebook.com/fnarf on February 10, 2012 at 3:02 PM
10
In all three cases (MSNBC, Reuters, Forbes) the stories are much more about the phenomenon of how this is sweeping the web, rather than reporting the news itself. Since it's something a lot of people are talking about I don't have a problem with any of those stories.
Posted by bigyaz on February 10, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Will in Seattle 11
Everyone knows on Twitter that Kim Jong-Un was successfully zombified and is now serving as the new Dictator-for-Life of Greece.

You can run but you can't hide.
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on February 10, 2012 at 3:22 PM
stirwise 12
@7: that presumes they have electricity and internet access, which is highly unlikely.
Posted by stirwise on February 10, 2012 at 3:37 PM
13
Un dead! Un dead! Un dead!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRJfIPiJ…
Posted by POH on February 10, 2012 at 3:44 PM
14
Ha! This is clearly a plot by the Chinese to get back at us for them reporting stories from The Onion as true.
Posted by Joe Nerlism on February 10, 2012 at 5:10 PM

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