Most major media outlets, including CNN and the Associated Press reported early this afternoon that an arrest had been made in the Boston Marathon Bombing case.

The FBI was quick to counter the reports with a statement denying any arrests.

From the FBI:

“Contrary to widespread reporting, no arrest has been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack,” the FBI statement reads. “Over the past day and a half, there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that has been inaccurate. Since these stories often have unintended consequences, we ask the media, particularly at this early stage of the investigation, to exercise caution and attempt to verify information through appropriate official channels before reporting.”

In a battle to be the “first,” many major media outlets are actually doing a disservice to Americans by reporting unconfirmed and, in most cases, false information.

Journalists learn in journalism 101, that unconfirmed reports should never be reported as fact.  The fact that the biggest an most popular news sources are engaging in this practice, should be a concern to all of us.

Like the boy who cried wolf, these practices do little good and destroy the credibility of journalists around the world.