"In the end, social media got to the answer of who Ryan Lanza is much more quickly than a dozen local reporters would have done. But social media also creates a

"In the end, social media got to the answer of who Ryan Lanza is much more quickly than a dozen local reporters would have done. But social media also creates a world in which we are watching the investigation — and reporting — unfold in real time." A local reporter, in this case the usage seems pejorative, might have wanted until they were certain before printing the name and therefore might not have needed a retraction. I would have respected them more if they just said that news moves fast and they make their money from ads so being the first mover improves their bottom line.