The Times of London Retracts Article After Mistaking Non-Famous Bill DeBlasio for Former NYC Mayor
The Times of London retracted an article after mistakenly interviewing a non-famous Bill DeBlasio, believing him to be the former NYC mayor, resulting in fabricated quotes.
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Overview
- The Times of London published an article featuring quotes from a Bill DeBlasio criticizing Zohran Mamdani, which was later revealed to be based on a mistaken identity.
- The newspaper mistakenly contacted a non-famous individual named Bill DeBlasio, believing him to be the former New York City mayor, leading to the publication of fabricated content.
- The non-famous Bill DeBlasio found the situation amusing, admitting he did not correct the misunderstanding, and stated he was addressed as 'Mr. DeBlasio' without claiming the mayoral title.
- Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vehemently denounced the interview as 'entirely false and fabricated,' criticizing the declining standards of objectivity and decency in journalism.
- The Times of London removed the article and apologized after the former mayor clarified the situation, acknowledging they were misled by an individual falsely claiming to be De Blasio.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on the factual details of the mistaken identity incident involving two men named Bill DeBlasio. They present the perspectives of all parties involved—the wine importer, the former mayor, and The Times of London—without editorializing or using loaded language, allowing readers to understand the sequence of events and the differing interpretations.
"AI is just one more tool that seems to be hastening the obliteration of reliable information on the internet."
Gizmodo"Both humiliating episodes did serious damage to our reputation."
Deadline"Still, DeBlasio acknowledged that he hadn't gone out of his way to correct the misunderstanding: “I said if you have any further questions, speak with my advisers, and I put my friends’ names in there.”"
ABC News"The prank felt like fair payback for years of harassment he has endured as a result of his nominal link to the two-term mayor."
Associated Press"The Times of London has apologized for running an article that falsely claimed former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had criticized current Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani."
ABC News"The story in the Times of London is entirely false and fabricated."
NBC News"The Times of London has apologized for running an article that falsely claimed former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had criticized current Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani."
Associated PressArticles (13)
FAQ
He is an individual unrelated to the former New York City mayor who was mistakenly interviewed by The Times of London, and he found the situation amusing without claiming to be the mayor.
The newspaper retracted the article, apologized, and removed it after realizing the quotes were fabricated due to interviewing the wrong Bill DeBlasio.
He strongly condemned the article as false and fabricated, criticizing the decline in journalistic standards regarding objectivity and decency.
They acknowledged being misled by an individual falsely claiming to be Bill de Blasio, which led to the publication of fabricated quotes.
History
- 5d5 articles