Friday 15 November, 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

People panicked, thinking the carrier plane had crashed upon landing

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

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

l4zick / Twitter

The outlet quickly issued a clarification, but people aren’t letting them off the hook

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

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

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.

The BBC ticker accidentally made some shocking claims about The Queen>

China wants to censor a giant inflatable toad>

Author

Nicola Byrne

View comments

Send Tip or Correction

Close

Comments

Defamation

Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech

An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic

An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language

Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Spam

Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Other

AP

comma please

punctuation

The Associated Press

Download our app

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

People panicked, thinking the carrier plane had crashed upon landing

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

The outlet quickly issued a clarification, but people aren’t letting them off the hook

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

The BBC ticker accidentally made some shocking claims about The Queen>

China wants to censor a giant inflatable toad>