It looks like reporters were right this week to be skeptical of a Gold Star father's dubious story.

On Monday, Khizr Khan, whose son, U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed in 2004 in Iraq, canceled an upcoming appearance in Toronto.

The group that was hosting the event, Ramsay Talks, said Khan dropped out because his "travel privileges are being reviewed" by U.S. authorities.

To its great credit, media have handled the story responsibly, which is a welcome change of pace for an industry that has struggled to cover the Trump administration. Rather than rushing to report the "travel privileges" claim as an absolute truth, many journalists have stepped back and asked for more evidence.

Of the reports that have been written about the canceled event, most have been careful to note the story's many inconsistencies, as well as the fact that Khan refuses to clarify the issue.

CTV's Rosa Hwang was first to report Monday that the Toronto speaking event had been canceled. As of this writing, her breaking news alert has been shared more than 20,000 times.

JUST IN: Gold Star father Khizr Khan cancels scheduled speech in Toronto after being told his "travel privileges are being reviewed." pic.twitter.com/3dXFMnjced — Rosa Hwang (@journorosa) March 6, 2017



Hwang eventually followed up her initial tweet with additional background information.

"CTV News reached out to Mr. Khan. His response: 'I have no comments to make,'" she reported. "FYI: Statement was sent to CTV News by Ramsey Talks, the event where Mr. Khan was scheduled to speak tomorrow. Mr. Khan has no comment."

Hwang also wrote, "Important to note: Mr. Khan hasn't said why his 'travel privileges' are under review. When we reached out to him, he had no further comment."

News that Khan had canceled his Toronto event came shortly after the White House reintroduced President Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigration from Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

There are several red flags in the Gold Star father's story, including the fact that he has been a U.S. citizen for 30 years, and the fact that he comes from Pakistan, which is not included in the immigration executive order.

Though many reporters reacted immediately to Hwang's tweets with the usual mixture of credulity, dismay and horror, a significant number of journalists also reacted with skepticism, advising readers to hold out for more information.

Is this confirmed? He's been a US citizen for 3 decades... https://t.co/xCMKHduorx — Aymann Ismail (@aymanndotcom) March 6, 2017

This doesn't make sense. Mr. Khan is a U.S. citizen, he shouldn't have any problem traveling. https://t.co/OuD9YfmWm7 — Enrique Acevedo (@Enrique_Acevedo) March 6, 2017

An American’s doesn’t need “travel privileges.” All they need is a passport. This story doesn’t seem correct. https://t.co/kvwX7EX44h — Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) March 6, 2017

Not to constantly be That Guy Who Tells Everyone To Slow Down, but there isn't even an article. Very unclear what's being referred to. https://t.co/EveBfd4Xus — Jesse Singal (@jessesingal) March 6, 2017

Worth waiting for confirmation on this one... https://t.co/KPBPBdyF6M — DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) March 6, 2017



Ramsay Talks first announced the event had been cancelled in a statement that included a quote from Khan, which read, "This turn of events is not just of deep concern to me but to all my fellow Americans who cherish our freedom to travel abroad. I have not been given any reason as to why. I am grateful for your support and look forward to visiting Toronto in the near future."

The statement failed to address a few major issue, including:

Which U.S. agency supposedly contacted Khan?

Why would an American citizen need a visa to travel to Canada?

How would federal officials legally justify "reviewing" a U.S. citizen's right to travel?

It's worth noting Khan himself didn't claim U.S. authorities were reviewing his "travel privileges," Ramsay Talks said that. The group also maintains, however, that they merely relayed what Khan told them.

Ramsay Talks president, Bob Ramsay, seems to be just as confused as everyone else.

"I don't know exactly who conducted the review, but in speaking with Mr. Khan, it was certainly U.S. authorities," he initially told the Washington Post. "That's all I know."

In a separate interview with a McClatchy reporter, Ramsay sounded less sure of himself and Khan's story.

"Alll [sic] the other information we got from me [sic] khan so you'd best check with him," he said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday they don't notify travelers about such issues. The Canadian foreign ministry also said it never contacted Khan about his "travel privileges."

A State Department spokesperson also told McClatchy, "A U.S. citizen who holds a valid U.S. passport may enter and depart the U.S. It is the decision of each individual country to determine whether to admit any U.S. citizen. U.S. citizens traveling should consult the requirements for their destination country prior to travel."

Khan, who is an immigration attorney, won't comment on the issue, and he has also ignored multiple requests for comment from media.

Asked Khizr Khan several simple, clarifying Qs via email. He got back, saying only "Thank you - no comments." I'd stay away from this story — Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) March 6, 2017



His newfound desire for silence stands in sharp contrast to how he conducted himself during the 2016 election. As the father of a slain U.S. Muslim soldier, Khan was a regular part of Hillary Clinton's surrogate network, joining her often on the campaign trail. He also sat for dozens of interviews, and he partook in multiple conference calls with campaign reporters.

The truth of the matter is unclear, and Khan's silence isn't helping anything.

Until he provides some sort of evidence or proof to back the story, reporters are wise to hold fire.

If the "travel privileges" claim turns out to be true, and there has indeed been an abuse of power, reporters will cover that, and media holding out for more evidence hurt no one. On the other hand, if this story turns out to be a hoax, and no one is reviewing Khan's right to travel, then reporters just spared everyone from another lie-based news cycle.