(continued) From your blog: "CNN should admit it screwed up big time." Although you have a point too, in fact many good points, I believe you're judging CNN too harshly here. I don't think it screwed up big time. You say "usually the game is played in a way that inoculates the news organization from the opprobrium heaped on CNN... initial reports are usually qualified, with some “weasel words,” that provide cover if the report turns out to be wrong, such as, 'we don't know for sure'..." You go on to say, "If CNN had said, “We don’t know what’s going on out on the Potomac, but we have overheard some radio transmissions and we are checking ... they would have been able to defend themselves..." For the record, according to your transcript link, the CNN reporter did say --quote-- "We don't know for sure." Not a huge defense, admittedly, but I'm not sure the OFFENSE was as huge as all that. Thanks for listening!

(continued) "CNN's Bohrman said the calendar and President Obama's proximity to the Pentagon loomed large in the decision.' This is a sensitive date in our collective memory,' he said."

Bohrman has a point. And the Coast Guard says it's "going to take a good, hard look at what we did here today and ensure that, if we need to modify procedures, if we need to modify communications, we will do so in the future." That sounds responsible. (still more!)

(continued)
What? The Coast Guard and Secret Service had no knowledge of this? And CNN waited 20-25 minutes, and still no Coast Guard explanation? I think those are grounds for any journalism shop to get into high gear.

From your Washington Post link: "The transmission heard by CNN was indeed eye-opening: 'If you don't stop your vessel you will be fired upon. Stop your vessel immediately. . . . If you don't slow down and stop your vessel, and leave our zone, you will be fired upon.'"

In my view, if CNN sat quietly on this incident unfolding in public on the Potomac River, it would've shown questionable judgment on their part. (more)

Yes, but... CNN's explanation is worth noting:

(From cnn.com:) "CNN called the Coast Guard immediately after the initial reports suggesting possible trouble in the water; a spokeswoman said she had NO INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITY IN THAT AREA. (caps are my emphasis.) OVER THE NEXT 20 TO 25 MINUTES, CNN made several phone calls and sent several e-mails to the USCG spokeswoman, asking for information. The spokeswoman said she was attempting to get information BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET ANY."

"Other agencies, including the Secret Service, which protects the president, had not been notified of the exercise in advance." (more)