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The Business of Covering Monkeys

Columbia Journalism Review · Bill Grueskin · last updated

I tried, but I can’t write a lede that’s any better than these headlines:

“Lab monkeys ‘infected with herpes’ escape truck: One ‘aggressive’ primate that could also have Covid and hepatitis C remains on the loose” (The Telegraph).

“Truck hauling ‘aggressive’ monkeys carrying herpes and COVID overturns in Mississippi” (WBRC-TV, Birmingham, Alabama).

“‘Aggressive’ monkey infected with COVID and STIs running loose in Mississippi after transport truck overturns: sheriff” (New York Post).

That story has all the elements: Crazed primates. Horrifying diseases. And one more thing: unconfirmed rumors. What more could a clickbaiter want?

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