There’s no lack of news

So why are more media outlets picking up on non-stories by other media and continuing to report them as news?

Look, this isn’t a big deal. But it’s an exercise in attention — the news media’s attention (or lack thereof) to the details of what they run as news, and the attention that informed news consumers need to pay to the information flow, since there’s so much of it, 24/7. And also since public opinion in most matters is formed by the media.

See the post below “Is this a news story?” Since writing that, I’ve been fully ready to turn it around at the first sign of authenticity in that CNN report, or anything that would merit it as advancing news. So when Fox did a piece this morning from the Pentagon on North Korea, obviously based on the hearsay in the CNN story (below), I paid close attention.

It was a rehash. It was reporting on reporting of speculation that wasn’t even good, solid, informed and weighty speculation. In fact, Fox put up on the screen a quote from an official who ridiculed the rumor now circulating through CNN, ABC and obviously Fox. Give Fox credit for reporting the ridicule.

Until this develops further, all they really have is what we know.

The North test-fired seven missiles last month over international objections, drawing U.N. Security Council sanctions. No progress has been made since then on the impasse, and the North has refused to return to international talks on its nuclear programs that have been stalled since November.

That’s how Fox is filling out this story online.

A researcher with links to the South Korean intelligence community said Friday that “caution is needed” when dealing with observations of activity inside North Korea because their intentions are often unclear, declining to comment directly on the latest report.

At least somebody is exercising good intelligence.