That was exactly the point of my post. I felt that once this rumor was posted on a major website, it is my opinion that the people in the know here had an obligation to immediately report to the members here IF they knew it to be factually false before it further ignited. For example, I believe there are some people here who are in contact with Jim Pierson. I am sure there are things that he would not be allowed to comment on but I am sure he would have been able to reveal if the pilot had been shown or not as this was the week networks were screening its pilots. This rumor could have been nipped in the bud if we were told for example that the pilot had not been screened at the time barnabasundead received those emails which started this rumor craze which has now spread to the mediasharx website.
First off, let me please state that no such obligation is required of our posters. Of course I can't speak for other sites, but it's always been our policy here, and it's even stated in the forum guidelines, that the responsibility of verifying sources and/or insuring the accuracy of information reported lies with the poster. Moderators have the right to remove or address unsubstantiated rumors that are made on these forums, but it's not our responsibility to verify information posted here nor is it expected of our members, and it certainly isn't the responsibility of our members to address information stated elsewhere, even on a popular site such as BarnabasUndead's. It is also not our policy to declare a rumor made here or elsewhere accurate simply because no one *in the loop* has offered a rebuttal.
And speaking unofficially
, discretion is a quality that I admire in others anyway. It's just a guess, but I would imagine that Pierson (who is not unaware of what is reported on this site) probably does too.
Also, it's just my opinion, but I can't help but wonder if your theory (that false rumors reported in fandom require a rebuttal from a DS official) has the potential to become a manipulative way of obtaining desired information.
it should have been immediately negated.
I respectfully disagree with that statement. As fans, naturally we're anxious to read every tidbit of information provided about a possible new show, but I dont feel we're entitled to have every rumor either challenged or confirmed, and since this is a delicate time in the decision-making process for a potential new DS I think I can understand the need for discretion.
If a fan comes across a rumor in fandom that they feel is inaccurate, they can make the choice to challenge it or to ignore it, but I personally feel that the best way to handle rumors is to refrain from repeating them.