A man collapsed in the Oval Office. The internet got the story wrong.
The Nieman Journalism Lab reported an incident involving a man collapsing in the Oval Office, but widespread online accounts misrepresented the details. The story was clarified by Laura Hazard Owen on November 7, 2025, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting in the age of rapid internet dissemination.
Key points from the report
- The event actually took place in the Oval Office, a location often central to important U.S. political developments.
- Initial viral reports spread misinformation about the nature and context of the collapse.
- Laura Hazard Owen, a journalist at Nieman Journalism Lab, addressed the inaccuracies to set the record straight.
The Nieman Journalism Lab's mission
The Nieman Lab aims to promote high standards in journalism by:
- Covering leadership and innovation within the journalism field
- Exploring and advancing the future of journalism in the digital era
- Highlighting the art and craft involved in storytelling
"The Nieman Journalism Lab is a collaborative attempt to figure out how quality journalism can survive and thrive in the Internet age."
Source: Owen, Laura Hazard. "A man collapsed in the Oval Office. The internet got the story wrong." Nieman Journalism Lab, November 7, 2025.
Author's summary: This case highlights the challenges of verifying facts quickly online and the vital role of journalism in correcting misinformation.
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