The Birth of a Rumor
A reporter explains in New York Daily News how he inadvertently created the myth that Chuck Hagel spoke to a non-existent group called "Friends of Hamas."
"I am, it seems, the creator of the Friends of Hamas myth. Doing my job, I erred in counting on confidentiality and the understanding that my example was farcical -- and by assuming no one would print an unchecked rumor. If anyone didn't know already: Partisan agendas, Internet reporting and old-fashioned carelessness can move complete crocks fast. If you see a story on Hagel addressing the Junior League of Hezbollah, that's fake too."
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/ ... rumor.html