reporters are generally underpaid wannabe essay writers who, one must presume, do their best writing a readable story from the information they are given.  If they find lapses in the continuity of the presented material it is probably natural that they fill in the lacunae themselves in order to create an apparently coherent narrative and an exciting gestalt.  Thus when speaking to reporters it is probably best to do what you would do when teaching an elementary course, give all the disclaimers and supportive information and probably giving references might help as well.

The chaotic discussions that have surrounded the "disappearing bee colony" story produced faerie tales because of the "crisis orientation" of the presented material.  All academics take note!

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************