There’s a video currently making the rounds that purports to show a drug deal on live TV, while an oblivious Fox News affiliate in Boston reports on the snowfall. It’s been reported by Gawker, New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, and virtually every other influential media outlet. But it’s a year old. And there’s no evidence to suggest that what’s happening is, in fact, a drug deal.
A version of that clip was uploaded to YouTube in February of 2013 — incidentally, of better quality than the one being shared now. In the footage, two men can be seen in the background briefly meeting, exchanging something, and then going their separate ways. A drug deal, however, usually involves a two-way transaction. One party hands over the money, the other party hands over the drugs.
The video isn’t new, and the reporting around it isn’t accurate. If there’s any news here, it’s to see an example of internet journalism at its worst. But perhaps that’s not exactly news, either.
(Screengrab: Taylor White)
