…doesn’t make it true. This is one of the most important tenants of journalism that is so often forgotten. When dealing with big stories we never forget to get at least two sources, three or four if we have time. We know that if we get the story wrong there will be many scrutinizing eyes dissecting every detail. But, what if it’s just a little piece that won’t garner that much attention?
Okay, you’re out covering a story on a neighborhood nuisance like a peeping tom. You interview one of the residents and they tell you about Mr. Smith, who was arrested last year for something like that. You think, “great, I’ve got my story.” Just to be sure, you ask a few more neighbors and they say they heard about that. Great, you have a few sources. It’s a small story, and you want to get home early. You write it up and publish it.
The problem is people’s recollection is often wrong. Sure, they may swear on a Bible that it’s true, but when you check the police records that person was never arrested for anything. You got the facts wrong. Even small stories demand the same attention to detail that larger stories do.
This is never more true than when printing on the Internet. The Web is based around people giving just such “first hand” accounts. It’s been going on for years, and we can easily recognize it. Who hasn’t read an internet posting that swears it’s true because that person’s brother was present at the event? And how often does that “insider information” turn out to be way off?
Check your facts. Quote reliable sources only. Tell the truth, not one person’s version of it.
