Toronto Maple Leafs blogger @Hope_Smoke (hopeinthebigsmoke.ca) is furious after being misquoted in a Toronto Star article by Curtis Rush.
Rush, a journalist for over 30 years, wrote an article on Twitter users attacking April Reimer after James Reimer’s recent performances in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the article, Rush wrote that @Hope_Smoke tweeted the attacks were justified. In doing so, he completely ignored that the tweet was quoting Darren Dreger in a radio interview. The tweet:
Dreger “the criticism of Reimer isn’t unfair. He’s paid to stop the puck.”
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) March 24, 2014
When @Hope_Smoke asked for a retraction, Rush only added that the tweet was directed to James Reimer instead of April Reimer, completely ignoring again that the tweet begins with Dreger’s name. It also ignores the context of being a radio transcript by @Hope_Smoke.
The article has already been read over on 102.1 The Edge and linked to various websites despite the incorrect Tweet. 102.1 The Edge had @Hope_Smoke on clear his name.
Curtis Rush has been tweeting people involved in his story to follow him on Twitter so he can direct message them, presumably to do a follow up story. @Hope_Smoke stated Rush wanted to interview him after refusing to apologize and adding the weak correction.
@Hope_Smoke stated on Twitter that he’ll be in touch with Rush’ editor after Rush refused to apologize.
I do wish to state that Curtis Rush, with over 30 years of journalism experience, should know the importance of properly quoting a source. Even if Twitter has only existed for eight years, this is no different than quoting someone in a field story. Rush used to be a crime reporter. Did he ever misquote a police officer like this? I doubt it. I also doubt if the officer came to him about it, he would then beg the officer to give him an interview instead of merely apologizing and correcting the error. Maybe he’s too proud, or maybe he’s leaving his integrity in the dust for a quick story. Either way, Rush is doing the integrity of The Fourth Estate a great disservice.
Apologize and correct the story.
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