Wednesday 24 April, 2024

A badly punctuated AP tweet about MH17 caused widespread panic on Twitter

Oops.

OOPS. IF EVER there was an example where good punctuation was need, it’s in this AP tweet.

The news wire posted this update on the Malaysian airlines disaster earlier today.

BREAKING: Dutch military plane carrying bodies from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash lands in Eindhoven.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 23, 2014

The Associated Press / Twitter

@AP WHAT??
— l4zick (@L4zick) July 23, 2014

l4zick / Twitter

CLARIFIES: Dutch military plane carrying Malaysia Airlines bodies lands in Eindhoven.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 23, 2014

The Associated Press / Twitter

@AP *slow clap*
— Kristina Koppeser 🐾 (@KristinaLuca) July 23, 2014

Kristina Lucarelli / Twitter

DO BETTER, thanks. -_- RT @AP CLARIFIES: Dutch military plane carrying Malaysia Airlines bodies lands in Eindhoven.
— B. (@Slim_Luvva) July 23, 2014

jackie o. / Twitter

The error has also been addressed on the AP blog, with media relations director Paul Colford writing:

This was an especially regrettable lapse that drew wide attention as Dutch families awaited the return of their loved ones’ remains.

Author

Nicola Byrne

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