There was just one problem with the story: It went viral not for its accuracy, but because it fit many people’s preconceived notions about race in America. It turns out that Comrie was the victim – and the person with the right to the bike – and her attorney has the receipts to prove it. …

It’s not easy to overcome confirmation bias. I’ve deleted my share of thoughtless, factually incorrect Facebook posts. But it is our obligation to try. Trust often doesn’t fly as far or fast as out-of-context viral stories, and any of us could be Comrie, who says she has received death threats, and Sandmann, who spent over a year pursuing legal action against multiple news outlets.

[Dustin’s correct at the personal level. The real problem here is with the media outlets who picked up the viral video and reported the bad takes as a fact. We all have a personal obligation to refrain from amplifying falsehoods, but the professional media should have a MUCH deeper obligation. They keep reminding us about their layers of editors and fact checkers, and yet they end up performing just as badly as the shriek mob. And for the same reasons. — Ed]