Reply #2: And updating the bios

[SheilaT]

for death notices of public figures is usually assigned to a low-level new reporter. At least that's the case in local newspapers.

The Mary Tyler Moore show did an episode where Mary (as punishment for some other transgression) was assigned to update all the bios in their files, and after working nonstop for many hours, she got quite silly and put all kinds of nonsense in one, and wouldn't you know, the guy died and a totally frivolous and incorrect bio was put out.

In the show it was amusing and harmless, in real life it would be devastating to the family.