If You're Following the Russian-Ukrainian Standoff, Remember This Headline from the Sinking of the Titanic

The Ukrainian army has begun efforts to remove what have been characterized as either Russian sympathizers or Russian agents (or both). We've discussed the slanted reporting about what's going on in Ukraine here in the past, but as you read stories from different sources, apply your commons sense, as well as a dose of healthy skepticism to whatever you read. But it's not just the particular slant of media source that ought to be considered here. It's the fact that sometimes they just get it wrong - sometimes absolutely, totally wrong.

Today is the anniversary - in case you missed it - of the sinking of the Titanic on April 16, 1912. Here's the headline that appeared in the Wall Street Journal:

LINER TITANIC STRUCK BY BERG

BUT PASSENGERS ARE SAVED

THE VIRGINIAN, CARPATHIA, AND PARISIAN

HURRY TO ASSISTANCE OF THE BIG

WHITE STAR BOAT

Transfer is Made Without Loss of Life, while the Vir-

ginian Starts for Halifax With the Disable Liner 

in Tow - P.A.S Franklin , of the Mercan-

tile Marine, Arranges for Special Train 

to Bring Passengers Here - Wire-

less Reports for Time Unsat-

is factory and Meagre.

The 1,470 passengers of the White Star liner Titanic, which was in collision with an iceberg late Sunday night, were taken off safely and transferred to the Cunard liner Carpathia and Allen liner Parisian. There were twenty boatloads in all and the transfer was made  without loss of life. Late reports indicted that the Titanic is being towed towards Halifax by the Virginian, one of the first vessels to respond to the wireless appeal for help...

The article doesn't specify the source of these "late reports." But as you can plainly see, they got it absolutely, totally wrong. Of course, modern means of communication are greatly improved since 1912, but between the slanting of stories by various media stories and the simple fact that, even with modern methods of communication - including social media - stories may be inaccurate and downright wrong, especially when first reported, it would serve you well to remember this initial report of the tragedy of the Titanic the next time you read or hear "the news."