Reporting for Ratings

In regards to article "Compelling murder mystery didn't have made-for-TV ending" in the Dallas Morning News by Jacquielynn Floyd.

I understand that people make mistakes, but I don't think this is an issue about making a mistake, but rather an issue about making ratings. This isn't an attack just on Jacquielynn Floyd, but FOX, CNN, Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo Rivera, and all the other media outlets that partake in reacting before investigating. If the media reported there has been a murder and we're unsure of the facts at this time it would be very cut and dry, but by reporting it like FOX did as "[a] bizarre murder mystery in Texas[,]" they've created hype and people become more compelled to hear the story. The more people interested the better the ratings. I think it goes back to the basic principle our mothers taught us growing up think before you speak. Earlier this week I was beyond irritated when NBC and ABC were reporting breaking news about a women in a doctors office holding people hostage - they were both reporting the story, but had conflicting story lines, were showing different places at where the incident was occurring and what was supposably happening. It ended up NBC was correct and it was occurring at my doctors office. I think because media is so determined to be the first to report and to get on the scene they don't actually take the time to report accurately.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/jfloyd/stories/101607dnmetfloyd.341673a.html