NOT THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER: Breaking News Before It Happens
Xinhua, China's state-run news agency posted an article on its Web site dated September 27th that described the successful launch of China's Shenzhou 7 rocket, with vivid details of the launch and detailed snippets of conversation amongst the astronauts for a “you are there” feel. But the rocket wasn’t due to fire up its engines for several hours and was still on the ground, reports The Associated Press. Natch, a Xinhuanet.com staffer blames a "technical error" for the gaffe.
As CNET News notes, “The Shenzhou 7 mission, which is expected to feature China's first-ever spacewalk, did in fact take off successfully later Thursday (at least we think so--articles on the launch all cite Xinhua as their source)” and hopes the “journalists” at the Chinese propaganda mill “at least comes up with some fresh quotes from the astronauts, maybe even ones that were actually said.”
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