That pretty much sums up the Cincinnati Enquirer’s bizarre social media blunder. WTF, guys?
The fabulous @LilMissRightie caught this retweet from the Enquirer’s verified Twitter account on Wednesday night. Note the Jim Carrey-style editorializing in this screen shot taken from Topsy.
The Enquirer’s social media person followed up with this reply to @LilMissRightie:
Yes, yes. Someone died. But we’re tickled pink about bringing you the news. Victim-giggles!
@Cincienquirer @LilMissRightie I love when people's deaths benefit me! Yay, death! :))))))
— TJ (@jylwheel) July 24, 2013
Both tweets were quickly deleted, but the Cincinnati Enquirer is about to learn the hard way that Twitchy and Twitter are forever.
@Cincienquirer The point is that you have a smile in the same tweet as a point about a victim dying. This isn't a wise use of emoticons.
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
And check the reply. Unreal. And journalism doesn't understand why it's dying.
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Unreal, indeed.
Hey guys the @Cincienquirer isn't smiling because a person died – just that *their guy* was on the scene. OMGLIKESOCOOL!!! #journalism
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Among other things not taught in J-School? Using some damn common sense.
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Their initial tweet is gone. But their reply to me is not. Unreal. Check it —> pic.twitter.com/TgOop6vefQ
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Fixed. MT @Cincienquirer UPDATE: Our Intern running our twitter feed is shitting bricks b/c the editor is about to get a screenshot/letter.
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
@AceofSpadesHQ @There was shooting downtown and one of their reporters was on the scene. Victim died by the way. Enquirer RTd the info…
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
I have seen some really shoody mistakes on twitter but to me, that one is up there w/just how tacky it is.
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Yes, 'shoody' is a word. Or shoddy. #TakeYourPick
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 24, 2013
Definitely shoody business. Here’s the Enquirer’s story on the shooting death. This one was tweeted sans emoticon.
UPDATE: New details emerge in fatal police-involved shooting http://t.co/rB48oR8Z04 via @JaniceMorse
— Enquirer (@Enquirer) July 25, 2013
Update:
The Cincinnati Enquirer tweeted an apology shortly after Twitchy published the deleted tweets.
We sincerely apologize for the poor judgment in a tweet about Clifton shooting last night. There was no ill intent.
— Enquirer (@Enquirer) July 25, 2013
@TwitchyTeam has some serious pull. That post goes up and 10 mins later the Enquirer updates w/an apology. Good work @TwitchyTeam !!
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 25, 2013
@Cincienquirer Thank you for this. I think it was clear there was no ill will; just excitement over the reporter being on scene. Still weird
— LMR (@LilMissRightie) July 25, 2013
