# Why did the MSM fall for the Jussi Smollett hoax? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 19, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832 "2019-02-19T15:26:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/21 "2019-02-19T17:20:23Z")
I likewise never heard about it until after the news was that the story might be fake. That said, of course it was reported at the time. Why wouldn’t it be? But there’s a reason the news reports that so-and-so claimed this or according to police officers on the scene or even “sources close to the \_\_\_ tell us.” They’ll even name other news sources if they didn’t get it directly. News is about reporting information quickly, giving as much information as they have at the time. No news organization is going to say something definitely happened before it has been investigated. When the police investigate an accusation that turns out not to be valid, does that mean they “fell for it”? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/22 "2019-02-19T17:20:52Z")
AFAICT, the media reported the facts (i.e. “according to the police…”, “according to Smollett…”) accurately. They interviewed Smollett because he’s famous and claimed he was the victim of a hateful violent attack. That’s what the media should do. Is anyone arguing they shouldn’t have reported the facts, or shouldn’t have interviewed a prominent person who claims they were the victim of a hateful, violent attack? If not, what’s the problem? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/23 "2019-02-19T17:32:48Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > … Is anyone arguing they shouldn’t have reported the facts, or shouldn’t have interviewed a prominent person who claims they were the victim of a hateful, violent attack? If not, what’s the problem? Perhaps they should have waited for the investigation to be completed? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/24 "2019-02-19T17:34:52Z")
So am I hearing that the journalists covered the story as they should? They in fact were very credulous and unquestioning. I guess it’s up to you if that’s how you like your journalism. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/25 "2019-02-19T17:38:11Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > So am I hearing that the journalists covered the story as they should? They in fact were very credulous and unquestioning. I guess it’s up to you if that’s how you like your journalism. As has already been stated, the media reported what the police told them, then made corrections as they were given out. How the holy fuck would _you_ have reported the story? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/26 "2019-02-19T17:38:26Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > So am I hearing that the journalists covered the story as they should? They in fact were very credulous and unquestioning. I guess it’s up to you if that’s how you like your journalism. Which journalists were “very credulous and unquestioning”? I’m sure there were some, but the vast majority of the reporting that I read, and saw, was strictly factual (i.e. “the police say xxxx, Smollett says yyyy…”). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/27 "2019-02-19T17:39:11Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Perhaps they should have waited for the investigation to be completed? Is that how the media _you_ follow do it? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/28 "2019-02-19T17:42:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Perhaps they should have waited for the investigation to be completed? So, Lee Oswald (allegedly) shoots JFK, but you don’t want any reporting until the investigation is completed? Every day the media report on crimes before the investigation in completed. Every damn day. Because a number of those cases each year turn out to be different than first reported, you want the reporting to stop? Why? What’s the problem with the news coming out like it always does. Initial reports, then follow up reporting, then final conclusion. I suspect a great many stories evolve over time for one reason or another. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/29 "2019-02-19T17:43:58Z")
From [thinkprogress.org](http://thinkprogress.org): [Top Republicans, White House silent about attack on Jussie Smollett, despite ‘MAGA’ comments](https://thinkprogress.org/republicans-trump-silent-jussie-smollett-attack-510c9b4c1b0d/) This is only one story but it’s disturbing journalism because it is all technically true. At the time, no prominent Republican had said anything whereas numerous prominent Democrats had weighed in, some calling it a hate crime. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/30 "2019-02-19T17:46:18Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > From [thinkprogress.org](http://thinkprogress.org): [Top Republicans, White House silent about attack on Jussie Smollett, despite ‘MAGA’ comments](https://thinkprogress.org/republicans-trump-silent-jussie-smollett-attack-510c9b4c1b0d/) > > This is only one story but it’s disturbing journalism because it is all technically true. At the time, no prominent Republican had said anything whereas numerous prominent Democrats had weighed in, some calling it a hate crime. Let’s keep the goalposts in one place, please-I think we’re talking about how the _media_ treated the story. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/31 "2019-02-19T17:51:11Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > From [thinkprogress.org](http://thinkprogress.org): [Top Republicans, White House silent about attack on Jussie Smollett, despite ‘MAGA’ comments](https://thinkprogress.org/republicans-trump-silent-jussie-smollett-attack-510c9b4c1b0d/) > > This is only one story but it’s disturbing journalism because it is all technically true. At the time, no prominent Republican had said anything whereas numerous prominent Democrats had weighed in, some calling it a hate crime. Do you consider [thinkprogress.org](http://thinkprogress.org) to be the MSM? If not, this seems very off-topic. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/32 "2019-02-19T17:53:38Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Which journalists were “very credulous and unquestioning”? I’m sure there were some, but the vast majority of the reporting that I read, and saw, was strictly factual (i.e. “the police say xxxx, Smollett says yyyy…”). Yes. And they took what he had to say without question, defining credulous and unquestioning. Again, if you and others don’t desire truth-seeking journalism and just want quotes of what has been said, maybe there is a market for that. > **[What Jussie Smollett Means to ‘Empire’ and America](https://variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/)** > > Jussie Smollett has been bringing to life the story of Jamal Lyon, a man whose identities — as gay and as black — doubly inform who he is. > **['Empire' star Jussie Smollett: Attackers yelled, 'This is MAGA country'...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/01/29/empire-star-jussie-smollett-assaulted-possible-homophobic-attack/2709986002/)** > > Chicago Police say they have identified "potential persons of interest" in the attack of "Empire" star Jussie Smollett. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/33 "2019-02-19T17:53:59Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Perhaps they should have waited for the investigation to be completed? So, we should have heard nothing about the Watergate investigation, the Iran-Contra scandal, the Whitewater investigation, or the Benghazi investigation until it was all completed? Like, a literal media blackout? How about the Son of Sam killings? Should that have had a media blackout until Berkowitz was found? I think you’re setting a very strange standard for reporting. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/34 "2019-02-19T17:56:17Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yes. And they took what he had to say without question, defining credulous and unquestioning. Again, if you and others don’t desire truth-seeking journalism and just want quotes of what has been said, maybe there is a market for that. > > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/) > > [Jussie Smollett: Attackers yelled, ‘This is MAGA country'](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/01/29/empire-star-jussie-smollett-assaulted-possible-homophobic-attack/2709986002/) What news media do you follow that does it the way you supposedly want it done? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/35 "2019-02-19T17:56:43Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yes. And they took what he had to say without question, defining credulous and unquestioning. Again, if you and others don’t desire truth-seeking journalism and just want quotes of what has been said, maybe there is a market for that. > > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/) > > [Jussie Smollett: Attackers yelled, ‘This is MAGA country'](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/01/29/empire-star-jussie-smollett-assaulted-possible-homophobic-attack/2709986002/) Can you point out where USA Today fell for the hoax? I skimmed the article and it was all “the police reported…”, “Smollett said…” Do you consider a column in Variety to be the MSM? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/36 "2019-02-19T17:59:03Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Yes. And they took what he had to say without question, defining credulous and unquestioning. Again, if you and others don’t desire truth-seeking journalism and just want quotes of what has been said, maybe there is a market for that. > > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/variety.com/2019/tv/columns/jussie-smollett-attack-what-it-means-1203123627/amp/) > > [Jussie Smollett: Attackers yelled, ‘This is MAGA country'](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/01/29/empire-star-jussie-smollett-assaulted-possible-homophobic-attack/2709986002/) In the USA Today article, can you point to exactly what passages you find objectionable? The way I read it, the reporters probably went a little out of their way to attribute allegations to the multiple police officers that were quoted by name, who in turn specifically stated what Smollett told them. Further, the police asked for help from the public in determining what happened, which may have been the first indication that pieces of the story were missing. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/37 "2019-02-19T17:59:32Z")
I am going to go back on one thing. I rewatched the GMA interview and the interviewer kept a straight face even though Jussi seemed to be trying to get a reaction from her by initially laughing and then crying. But she seemed pretty stoic so I’m wondering if she also had her doubts. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/38 "2019-02-19T18:01:01Z")
Smollet made some incredible statements about the attack and the interview he gave was laughably duplicitous. You would have to watch videos to see the context in which the media was covering this. I’m not going to dig up a bunch of stuff off YouTube. I was reassured when leftists here weren’t falling for the okey-doke, but that may have been a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/39 "2019-02-19T18:01:04Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I am going to go back on one thing. I rewatched the GMA interview and the interviewer kept a straight face even though Jussi seemed to be trying to get a reaction from her by initially laughing and then crying. But she seemed pretty stoic so I’m wondering if she also had her doubts. What media do you watch that isn’t what you call “MSM”, and how was it reported there? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832/40 "2019-02-19T18:02:07Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Smollet made some incredible statements about the attack and the interview he gave was laughably duplicitous. You would have to watch videos to see the context in which the media was covering this. I’m not going to dig up a bunch of stuff off YouTube. > > I was reassured when leftists here weren’t falling for the okey-doke, but that may have been a mistake. What media do you follow that does it “right”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-msm-fall-for-the-jussi-smollett-hoax/829832.md?page=3)