I Suppose Apologies All Round Are Out Of The Question...

[Quizmonster]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42830255
The Mail has seen fit to admit its story about Scotland's First Minister effectively banning the Union Flag was nonsense and apologise to her for it. What about the same attitude from those on AB who gleefully fell upon the "fake news" with condemnation themselves?
The Mail fell sort of pointing out that Alex Salmond had discussed the matter with the Queen herself before he made the amendments.

[mikey4444]

We must be thankful that the DM has apologised over this sorry affair. But the damage has already been done I fear.

[Peter Pedant]

// What about the same attitude from those on AB who gleefully fell upon the "fake news" with condemnation themselves? //

well or ( and ) what about that president who said his predecessor was not 'murican and so had no right to be Prez ? He was ( = Barack Obama was in fact American)

Personally I have had a personalised 'I was misinformed when I accused you of...." - it sounded rather limp to me in real time to be honest.....

[Quizmonster]

If you read the link material, Spathyphyllum, you'll see that it was not only the Mail that lied, but the other two major Tory newspapers as well!

[emmie]

well they have apologised, what more is there to say.

[jno]

I already commented on this at the end of the previous thread this morning, but yes, it does seem some people are a little on the gullible side.

[Kromovaracun]

It's the wider pattern, emmie. The Mail distorts far more often than most other newspapers. It's about as reliable as The Sun.

[jno]

Quizmonster, you'll note that the Mail did not say "We lied", merely "We are happy to clarify...", as if the only problem was some faintly unclear wording rather than complete horseradish.

[Peter Pedant]

is it jesuitical to say - lie is to intentionally mislead
and it looks as tho they just got it wrong ?

just um saying ....

[jno]

I think the distinction is only functional if you have some foolproof way of assessing the newspaper's intent.

But you have a paper that denigrates Sturgeon quite frequently, and that has the same opportunity to check the truth as anyone else does (and rather more of an obligation to do so).

So yes, I'll go with "lie".

[Khandro]

The new orthodoxy is; print, tweet, say whatever you feel like, even if it's untrue - if nobody complains, you've got away with it, if they do, all you need do is say 'sorry'.

[Quizmonster]

If you actually read my OP, Emmie, you'll see that I said, "What about the same attitude from those on AB...?" Yes, the MAIL has apologised but NONE of "those on AB" I referred to have done so; accordingly, that is he answer to your question, "What more is there to say?"
Something like, "Yes, I was gullible in believing the Mail's, Telegraph's and Express's fake news and so I apologise to Nicola Sturgeon as well."

[ichkeria]

Well done to the Mail for apologising.
Unfortunately I suspect it's a case of jumping on news stories that you want to believe are true, rather than deliberately falsifying anything. I can see how the misunderstanding might have arisen. The problem is that these things are jumped on by readers and others who ALSO want to belivee they are true, as evidenced by the reaction here the other day. And it will be locked away in the mental lumber rooms of the Mail's faithful, reverberate around the echo chamber, or whatever expression you care to use, no matter now many apologies are issued.

[Peter Pedant]

I dont bother to confront people with their lies -
so often I get the reply - - "whatever". - and another lie to make up the quota

In 1821 the great Lord Eldon said ( chancery court ) "if a man says he is in Rome on a date and he isnt - that does not prove the other sides case - it just proves he wasnt in Rome."

[Spicerack]

Ha. If the left wing brains trust had to apologise for everything they got wrong we'd need to open a new category.

[Old_Geezer]

Folk here tended to trust the news story, which, until further evidence emerged, was fair enough. The Mail should have checked more thoroughly. But the act had still occurred, but at the persuasion of another, a while ago. Sturgeon hadn't the opportunity as their colleague had already sorted it.

[steg]

//Sturgeon hadn't the opportunity as their colleague had already sorted it.//

Aye, after consultation with the queen, the queen should get some of the credit