Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - HE IS FINE

charlene · 02-21-2010, 10:03 PM

Globe and Mail:

Murder by Tweet: The great Lightfoot blackout of 02/18

Blame bounced back and forth between new and old media on Thursday as each accused the other of starting false reports that musician Gordon Lightfoot had died.

The rumour began as a prank phone call to musician Ronnie Hawkins’ manager. As Ottawa media consultant Ian Capstick explains, Mr. Hawkins told his wife, Wanda, who spread the news by phone, Facebook and even fax. It hit Twitter mid-afternoon with the post “RIP Gordon Lightfoot” from the (now-deleted) Fleminski account, which belonged to Ottawa resident Rebecca Fleming.

According to Mr. Capstick, CanWest News Service called Ms. Fleming, who pointed them to Wanda Hawkins’ Facebook page. A CanWest reporter confirmed the mistaken belief with Ronnie Hawkins by telephone and CanWest issued an in-house news alert, which reporter David Akin relayed to his roughly 2,500 Twitter followers: “Gordon Lightfoot has died, sources close to the singer say.”

Tweeters at Roots Music Canada tried to quell rumours by posting: “Gordon Lightfoot was on the phone and fine half an hour ago.” But the shipwreck had already happened. Over the next two hours more than 3,000 new Tweets spread the false news. Meanwhile, CanWest newspaper websites had run with their story and before long Gordon Lightfoot was listening to radio reports of his death while driving to a dentist appointment in Toronto.

Roughly an hour after his initial post, Mr. Akin Tweeted that Mr. Lightfoot’s manager had denied the rumour. Media retractions followed, and the tide of false Twitter posts gave way to relief, media commentary, and, of course, snappy one-liners.

The Twitter reaction:

“What a day for Canada, 3rd GOLD medal won in Olympics & Gordon Lightfoot un-dies. Who says Canada is boring?”

“Blaming Twitter for spreading the false news of Gordon Lightfoot's death is like blaming trees 4 incorrect newspaper article.”

“This just in: Gordon Lightfoot among 6 billion humans NOT dead.”

“If You Could Read My Obit: Gordon Lightfoot comeback song.”

“I'll never forget where I was when I heard Gordon Lightfoot was alive.”

“It might have been more believable if Gordon Lightfoot had tweeted about the National Post’s demise. Just sayin'.”

“Headline: Canada media still learning Twitter. In related news: Gordon Lightfoot still not dead.”

“Does this mean Lent is over? The resurrection of Gordon Lightfoot – bring on the choco bunnies.”

“Gordon Lightfoot's condition upgraded to ‘alive.’ “

“I just learned that Gordon Lightfoot is still alive before I had even heard he had died.”

02-21-2010, 10:03 PM	#80
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: HE IS FINE - it was a hoax Globe and Mail: Murder by Tweet: The great Lightfoot blackout of 02/18 Blame bounced back and forth between new and old media on Thursday as each accused the other of starting false reports that musician Gordon Lightfoot had died. The rumour began as a prank phone call to musician Ronnie Hawkins’ manager. As Ottawa media consultant Ian Capstick explains, Mr. Hawkins told his wife, Wanda, who spread the news by phone, Facebook and even fax. It hit Twitter mid-afternoon with the post “RIP Gordon Lightfoot” from the (now-deleted) Fleminski account, which belonged to Ottawa resident Rebecca Fleming. According to Mr. Capstick, CanWest News Service called Ms. Fleming, who pointed them to Wanda Hawkins’ Facebook page. A CanWest reporter confirmed the mistaken belief with Ronnie Hawkins by telephone and CanWest issued an in-house news alert, which reporter David Akin relayed to his roughly 2,500 Twitter followers: “Gordon Lightfoot has died, sources close to the singer say.” Tweeters at Roots Music Canada tried to quell rumours by posting: “Gordon Lightfoot was on the phone and fine half an hour ago.” But the shipwreck had already happened. Over the next two hours more than 3,000 new Tweets spread the false news. Meanwhile, CanWest newspaper websites had run with their story and before long Gordon Lightfoot was listening to radio reports of his death while driving to a dentist appointment in Toronto. Roughly an hour after his initial post, Mr. Akin Tweeted that Mr. Lightfoot’s manager had denied the rumour. Media retractions followed, and the tide of false Twitter posts gave way to relief, media commentary, and, of course, snappy one-liners. The Twitter reaction: “What a day for Canada, 3rd GOLD medal won in Olympics & Gordon Lightfoot un-dies. Who says Canada is boring?” “Blaming Twitter for spreading the false news of Gordon Lightfoot's death is like blaming trees 4 incorrect newspaper article.” “This just in: Gordon Lightfoot among 6 billion humans NOT dead.” “If You Could Read My Obit: Gordon Lightfoot comeback song.” “I'll never forget where I was when I heard Gordon Lightfoot was alive.” “It might have been more believable if Gordon Lightfoot had tweeted about the National Post’s demise. Just sayin'.” “Headline: Canada media still learning Twitter. In related news: Gordon Lightfoot still not dead.” “Does this mean Lent is over? The resurrection of Gordon Lightfoot – bring on the choco bunnies.” “Gordon Lightfoot's condition upgraded to ‘alive.’ “ “I just learned that Gordon Lightfoot is still alive before I had even heard he had died.”