LAKEVIEW DESTROYED: Chicago’s WGN takes Twitter flak for sensational public safety coverage
After local Chicago television station WGN-TV News reported on a flash mob by saying teens were “destroying” the Lakeview neighborhood Monday night, local Twitter users repeatedly criticized and mocked the station for the exaggerated language.
After local Chicago television station WGN-TV News reported on a flash mob by saying teens were “destroying” the Lakeview neighborhood Monday night, local Twitter users repeatedly criticized and mocked the station for the exaggerated language.
According to WGN’s report, a large group of teens took part in a flash mob in the North side neighborhood, with many teens jumping on top of parked cars and leading to property damage. Chicago Police officers were called in to help remove the teens from the area, and two arrests were made, including a 15-year-old girl “charged with aggravated assault of a first responder and resisting and obstructing traffic.”
Chicago Twitter, however, saw this as an overly sensationalized take.
Going to pour one out for Lakeview tonight (we should be covering crime and chaos but this hyperbole doesn’t serve anyone; I’m otherwise a fan of our friends at WGN) https://t.co/6oIW9euNTV
— Gregory Pratt (@royalpratt) June 28, 2023
Does Chicago’s WGN-TV know what the word “destroying” means? https://t.co/USfTBrwTYe
— Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) June 28, 2023
The neighborhood looks not destroyed… pic.twitter.com/ioWDLlmog1
— Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (@CDRosa) June 28, 2023
So true this was Lakeview this morning, WGN please DM me about purchasing the rights to use this photo pic.twitter.com/zkkTK8vaov
— ¡matt! (@mateovonchicago) June 28, 2023
I propose finally adding that fifth star to the flag to honor the memory of the once proud, now destroyed neighborhood of Lakeview.
You will NEVER be forgotten.#GoneButNotForgotten #RIPLakeview pic.twitter.com/fV6P9R8g2A
— Bradley J. (@KingTalkyTeeks) June 28, 2023
Coming out of the 7/11 on Halsted like pic.twitter.com/q3fydHvk1S
— Matt Lux (@KohlSlaugh) June 28, 2023
BREAKING: Rescue teams comb rubble at Belmont & Seminary in Lakeview this morning in a search for survivors of the destroyed neighborhood. Presumably. https://t.co/qHdhPSctvY pic.twitter.com/0VQrkaZ9N7
— Chicago Bars (@chicagobars) June 28, 2023
Holy shit look look at this satellite image. Lakeview is just GONE https://t.co/kZY34leZx9 pic.twitter.com/XIoHOqWo6v
— Segway Batman (@Segway_Batman) June 28, 2023
“Sir, we’ve lost Lakeview” https://t.co/npLm6T54mY pic.twitter.com/eKd7M2mk1z
— Tyrone (@TheTyronePalmer) June 28, 2023
After the backlash, WGN changed their headline from…
“Hundreds of teens takeover Lakeview, destroying neighborhood”
to
“‘Terrifying’: Hundreds of teens takeover Lakeview, damage property”
WGN fixed the headline, amended it to more accurately convey the facts, Lakeview lives on https://t.co/QVyJ7rfWM5
— Gregory Pratt (@royalpratt) June 28, 2023
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