Factual errors in live TV reports led to a security incident on the Potomac river today.
Erroneous live cable news reports on CNN and Fox had said that the Coast Guard was firing shots on the river. CNN reported the Coast Guard had fired 10 rounds at a suspicious boat, and showed vessels circling in the water -- near the bridge President Barack Obama's motorcade crossed on the way to a memorial at the Pentagon earlier Friday morning.I didn't watch any of the footage, but I'd bet one of the reporters said the smoke was delicious.
The Associated Press reported that an exercise was under way in the river and did not report that shots were fired.
In a statement released by the Coast Guard, officials said the problem arose when media reporters overheard radio calls made during the training exercise. --CBS
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