Pope: Black Or White Smoke?

For a while around noon, no one knew if the smoke was black or white. An e-mailer said CNN had an especially difficult time: “CNN repeatedly reported that the smoke from the chimney was black and there was no new Pope. While everyone seemed unclear on the color, because it was confusing, CNN seemed determined that it was not going to change color…I know it was a confusing time, but don’t you think they’d handle it better?” Also:

> What’s Happening At CNN: “A CNN source describes the naming of the new Pope as ‘mass confusion’ as it was apparent news organizations were having difficulty determining what color the smoke was.”

> B&C: “Fox, which called the Pope’s death prematurely, waited until the confirming bell began to ring before posting the ‘We have a Pope!’ graphic.”