Local news station in hot water after ill-timed Ferguson tweet

There may be riots in Ferguson but at least a celebrity dance competition will still be going ahead.

As tensions rose in Ferguson last night following the decision by a Grand Jury not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, a Tennessee news station found itself the target of online ire after a terrifically badly-timed tweet.

WTVC News Channel 9 tweeted the below message reassuring their viewers that despite a special report on the riots and rapidly deteriorating situation in Ferguson, Dancing With The Stars - a celebrity dance competition - would still be going ahead.

Phew!

How to NOT use twitter ---->> "@newschannelnine Don't worry, Dancing with the Stars will be back on after the special report. #Ferguson"

— Chelsa Messinger (@ChelsaMessinger) November 25, 2014

The original tweet has now been deleted with the TV station tweeting an apology.

We've removed our very poorly worded tweet from earlier to stop the bad signal from spreading. Please accept our sincerest apologies.

— WTVC NewsChannel 9 (@newschannelnine) November 25, 2014

They also offered this explanation - with many people commenting that they were just trying to keep people informed.

.@lovesickglee yes - we were just anticipating people complaining. but we handled in a completely lunkheaded way. we're sorry.

— WTVC NewsChannel 9 (@newschannelnine) November 25, 2014

Fair enough really and this is also something to keep in mind:

Not a fun position to be in.