News that President Donald Trump was easing sanctions against Russia was refuted almost immediately, like so many other stories.

The Department of the Treasury said Thursday that it would allow U.S. companies to make limited transactions with the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s intelligence agency. Possibly eager to establish a connection between the new U.S. president and Russia, numerous media outlets and journalists were quick to claim that Trump was easing, and even lifting, sanctions against Russia.

“I haven’t eased anything,” Trump told reporters at the White House Thursday.

“We’re not easing sanctions,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed, saying that, “It is a regular course of action.”

As it turns out, the move was a “technical fix” planned by the Obama administration.

“Our understanding is that this is not the start of sanctions easing,” Ian Bremmer, president of the consulting firm Eurasia Group told reporters.

“It’s a rule change clearing up a problem with the sanctions regime that prevented U.S. exporters of non-sanctioned electronic devices from complying with both U.S. and Russian law. The problem was identified by the Obama administration, and this appears to be the response to address it.”

Even Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has called for tougher sanctions on Russia, agreed that Thursday’s move was “largely a technical fix.”

The media whirlwind that followed the Treasury Department’s actions proved unjustified almost instantaneously.

The media has missed the mark several times, and the present situation perfectly exemplifies the problem. A pattern is now emerging: headlines strike in a matter of hours, followed by the release of information contradicting the initial reports.

Concerning Trump’s recent immigration order:

Regarding the Supreme Court pick…

And, these are just a few of countless examples.

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