A slightly unfortunate Twitter billboard

Sometimes ingenuity doesn't quite lead you to a comfortable place.

The enterprising folks at WPMI TV in Mobile, Ala., decided that they should reach out on a real-time basis to their viewers. They erected a billboard, adorned it with an image of three of its most photogenic anchors, and added a live Twitter feed.

The whole thing ran very smoothly, until a passing human took this photograph and sent it in to The Palmetto Scoop.

(Credit: The Palmetto Scoop via Mashable)

Perhaps one's first reaction would be that this image might have enjoyed a little concoction.

However, Mashable has confirmed that not only is it real, but, citing the Lagniappe blog, it says WPMI-TV's general manager and news director have allegedly been suspended for a week because of this unfortunate conflagration.

This all seems just slightly odd. Television and radio has always been fond of slipping in a seven-second delay just in case untoward syllables slip through the mouths of guests or, indeed, hosts. It seems that no such delay was considered for this Twitter feed.

Yet who might have imagined such an unhappy coincidence might have occurred?

[jaguar717]

I don't care who you are, that right there is funny.

[indiemixer]

Chris, I usually hate your articles, but this one was great. Thanks.

[compbry15]

lol I agree. I normally completely clash with his style of writing. It drives me up the wall.

[mediocrates--2008]

And yet you both consistently check in on them. Isn't that strange?

[jaxstephens]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of Chris' writing style either, but this was hilarious.

[indiemixer]

@mediocrates--2008<br /><br />The "Just In" section on the Cnet News page doesn't display the author's name. Isn't that strange? No, not at all.

[mikeburek]

I think it's pretty funny, but they should not have been suspended. I sure hope they keep their jobs.

[Paul Isaac]

Why? They're accused of rape.<br /><br />Oh, I see, I should have read the article more carefully.

[jeeves86]

Could do a follow-up with "not these three..."

[jture]

"Conflagration" is pretty funny, but I think you meant "conflation," Chris.

[mrcjacobs]

You just can't make this kind of stuff up. Lol.

[PandaSage1221]

Gotta admit, it took me a minute to get it. (It's been a looong week.)<br /><br />It is funny, though. But suspension seems kinda over the top.

[Static-X-Machina]

No kiddin' <br />I mean it's as if they are either. <br />A: making it appear diliberate. <br />or <br />B: I'm completely wrong and this may have been diliberate and we aren't being told the whole story. <br />It seems this new concept of distribution of news by billboard has an approval process suffering from the same woes much like that of apple itunes. Flagrant sleeping at the wheel much?

[gulfmob29]

Mobile, AL is my hometown and I think this is HYSTERICALLY funny! The best part of this whole story is that this particular billboard is situated on one of the busiest corners in our city. Thousands and thousands of people pass this area every hour.

[JHLancaster3]

I live in mobile. there were 3 men accussed of gang rape in monroeville. I don't see the humor here. very sad. Its just a poorly worded tweet.

[monkeyfun14]

Took me a minute to get it but when I finally caught it I laughed a bit.

[sargess25]

bit slow on the uptake, are we?

[JigenIII]

how do they do that? lcd? projection?

[monkeyfun14]

LED probably.

[Static-X-Machina]

LED is correct. <br />It's the only feasible option really. <br />I mean you could go LCD but it would cost scads more money.

[nerd97]

and morons would throw hammers at the lcd billboard, thus ruining it.

[traxx09]

It's just a digital billboard. They can change the ad or message every several seconds. We have several in my city. They're also handy for Amber Alerts.

[fjernen]

Are you kidding? There is no such thing as bad publicity. It might be embarrassing but the TV News Channel has received the worlds spotlight for the next few days. The channel is getting publicity that few ever receive. They should laugh along with it and enjoy the ride.

[GreeneD-R]

I seen a lot of News room flubs that hit the air the latest was the chicken one that was going around the net. one was on Channel ABC 7 KGO long ago during the news there was a story on some new bath house (non gay kind) and their was some laughs in the room and then at the end when saying good night (this was Friday night report) they were saying where they were all going and one of the reporters throw his pants in the camera shot it was like what the ... and everyone was liked shocked as we hear the reporter was of to the bath house.. can't remember if it was the weather guy or the sports guy who did it but it was really funny and oh so live.<br /><br />a live billboard with a twitter feed is just a bad idea if it isn't watched for its content and layout for the station was just wrong .. guess it could have said something worse ...

[nosyrat]

Hahaha!

[biffhenerson]

Now I have found ONE good use for twitter. Displaying funny captions near pictures. Perhaps loose the talking heads an put up a nice picture of Ziggy. Near which we can all display our punchline for all to see. Censored of course! Lets call it "art".

[klor5]

Makes me wonder?Should one be punished for making a mistake?Or should one be punished for being a TOOL?Yeah,it's a social conundrum!Who's to blame?Probably not those who are being held accountable!

[4score20]

They are three of the happiest and most well-adjusted looking alleged gang rapists ever.

[Paul Isaac]

You think?

[klor5]

Che wawh?

[setjeff15081947]

"Ain't Technology Grand?" <br />"To Err Is Human; To Forgive Takes 'Twitter'."

[taylorlauder]

We are laughing too when we saw this picture, but don't you think the person who tweeted this should also have been "poked" too and given proper penalty, for doing this prank? <br /><br />Remember: There's always a source.<br /><br />Humiliation at its finest: http://bit.ly/twitter-billboard-hilarious-suspension