Even so, some media analysts and professionals had harsh words for newspapers and television - for not stressing the lack of any eyewitnesses to the well-being of the miners.
In an online commentary, Greg Mitchell, editor of the industry publication Editor & Publisher, called the coverage "one of the most disturbing and disgraceful media performances of this type in recent years."
NBC News anchor Brian Williams wrote in his blog: "The coverage was joyous, breathless and few cautions were ever voiced.. . . What an awful night for the news media."
CNN president Jonathan Klein offered no apologies, describing the sourcing of the report that the men were alive as "pretty solid" and adding: "This situation points to the strength of TV news coverage because we were able to correct as better information developed."
Analysts generally were measured in their criticism, with some wondering how reporters could maintain skepticism in the face of ringing church bells and celebrating relatives.
And the experts noted that journalists were undoubtedly reassured by wire-service accounts quoting West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin as saying the men were alive.
"The question that a lot of journalists probably wish had been asked of the governor is, 'How do you know that?' " said former Inquirer managing editor Butch Ward, senior fellow at the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank based in Florida. "The national press corps is asking it more often to officials in Washington and being called arrogant for asking. But it's an important question to ask."
Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Washington-based Project for Excellence in Journalism, said the episode showed the need for reporters and editors to make clear to media consumers what is and is not known.
"More than ever, journalists have to acknowledge the limits of their knowledge," Rosenstiel said. "If you have doubts, signal the doubts."
