This whole kerfuffle illustrates why I think the "fake news" meme-narrative will be very short-lived in the MSM and other partisan circles:
1.) It invites unwonted and unwanted scrutiny of the MSM generally;
2.) The MSM have warehouse complexes stuffed full of skeletons;
3.) The MSM continually supply new @#$% like this that illustrates their partisan credulity.
I understand why mal, well away from US shores, would be upset at Ben Smith having his nose ground into his F-Up. mal desperately wants their hoax to be true. Just as Libs & Progs desperately want the whole Bush-was-a-strings-pulling-rich-boy-draft-dodger-who-went-AWOL myth to be true.