Wiston Papers

We have a suspect...wait a minute.   No we don't.

CNN and Fox News blew it...again.  Not surprising given their recent...almost daily...abysmal record of inaccurate reporting.  Now add the Associated Press (AP) to the list of news organizations that just can’t get it right.  Pathetic.

I’m writing about the erroneous stories alleging that a suspect had been arrested in the Boston Marathon bombings.  Not true.

AP, Fox News and CNN all based their dispatches on what they claim were sources in a position to know.  When these knowledgeable sources proved not to be privy to correct information, the three media backtracked.

Here’s how to avoid this in the future.

MEMO TO CNN, FOX AND AP NEWS DIVISIONS:

“When reporting breaking news there are basic journalistic steps to follow.  To date, regretfully, we have failed to observe these fundamentals.

“We have rushed to publish information that has proved to be erroneous.  We have based our stories on unreliable sources.  We have not taken the necessary time to separate truth from speculation, to distil fact from rumor, to extract accuracy from innuendo.  In a phrase, we have chosen to believe when skepticism was the wiser decision.

“Effective immediately all news personnel are to do the following when covering breaking news:

“1--Check who in our news divisions either is from or has worked in the city, state or area where the story takes place.  Assign that person to the story.  We want people on the scene who know the territory.

“2--Our journalists, producers and photojournalists assigned to the story must work closely with local reporters who are already familiar with the principal players and have developed reliable sources.  We are not to initiate our own investigations until we have collaborated closely with local media.

“3--There will be no blogs, tweets or other social media postings until all information has been tripled checked both by our news teams on location as well as our news staff here  at CNN, Fox News and AP headquarters.

“5--All our dispatches must clearly identify by name and title the sources of our information  and what steps we followed to obtain that information.  If in an exclusive interview, say so.  If a news conference, say so.  But unequivocal disclosure is our goal.

“6--All initial reports must be heavily qualified so that our audience is aware of the preliminary nature of our stories. That our nformation is based solely on what local, clearly identified authorities are saying and that their information, too, may be based on incomplete details.

“7--In the case of shootings, bombings or other acts of violence, no member of the news division shall speculate as to the reason for the event.  There shall be no mention of possible terrorism, there shall be no linkage to other similar events unless specifically stated by officials who initiate such speculation.  

“8--Avoid quoting eyewitnesses in all initial stories. Eyewitnesses are not trained observers.  Their reactions are more often emotional than factual.  Their statements may distort rather than clarify the truth and reality we seek.  

“We are in the news business; we do not guess, we do not speculate, we do not spread rumors.  

“9--Avoid words and images that tend to sensationalize the event.  Be sensitive to the nature of the unfolding story, the emotions of the persons affected, and the often chaotic nature of fact-gathering by investigators and the critical work of medical and rescue personnel to treat and find victims and survivors.

“10--We will file our stories, blogs, tweets, and social media posts only after we have exhausted every possible method for confirming the accuracy of our reports.

“Finally, everyone must accept the basic fact of our business to inform the public truthfully, accurately, in a fair, balanced and objective manner.

“It is better for us to be second or third to report details of breaking news as long as those details are correct.

“There is no virtue in being first then having to backtrack and apologize for our mistakes.

“The public deserves and demands better from us.  Let’s fulfil that expectation.”

Steve Coon

April 18, 2013