Psychic Triggers Frenzy in FBI, Police, and Media

A psychic in Texas reported a mass grave with more than 30 dismembered bodies and thus triggered immediate chain reactions in the police and the FBI. The media quickly took actions, starting from local TV stations. Reuters put out a story citing the local media, without being able to independently confirm the existence of the grave (no time to do so, of course. had to put out something before other media). NYT sent out news alert, citing Reuters. Even newspapers in London and Australia put out headlines. Bloomberg also sent a headline (UP TO 30 BODIES FOUND NEAR HOUSTON, NYT CITES REUTERS). Reuters even updated the stories several times. What a farce, since the report turned out to be false. It's hard to keep a cool head in today's ultra-competitive media environment. Reuters quickly took off the story from its web site, but archives are still available in Reuters India.