A great story

There are reports that Osama Bin Laden, أسامة بن لادن , is dead. There was originally one article in one fairly small French newspaper, L'Est Républicain, which claimed that "it is said that" he is dead. That has been taken up by newspapers all over the world.

One cannot tell from this incident that he is alive. Or dead. But one can tell that reports are easily accepted worldwide without criticism by journalists who see a good story.