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1. Don’t make things up
• The most basic rule in journalism
• Mike Barnicle, Patricia Smith, Jayson Blair, Jack Kelley, Stephen Glass, Janet Cooke and on and on and on
1. Don’t make things up
• The most basic rule in journalism
• Mike Barnicle, Patricia Smith, Jayson Blair, Jack Kelley, Stephen Glass, Janet Cooke and on and on and on
• Non-fiction is the heart and soul of what we do
1a. Don’t plagiarize
• Along with fabrication, one of the two capital offenses in journalism
• Easier to get caught than ever before because of Google and LexisNexis
1a. Don’t plagiarize
• Along with fabrication, one of the two capital offenses in journalism
• Easier to get caught than ever before because of Google and LexisNexis
• The “Romenesko effect”
1a. Don’t plagiarize
• Along with fabrication, one of the two capital offenses in journalism
• Easier to get caught than ever before because of Google and LexisNexis
• The “Romenesko effect”
• Background doesn’t have to be attributed — but what is background?
3. Exact quotes are exact quotes
• What’s inside quotation marks is exactly what the person said
• Don’t use quotation marks for indirect quotes
3. Exact quotes are exact quotes
• What’s inside quotation marks is exactly what the person said
• Don’t use quotation marks for indirect quotes
• Use fragmentary quotes when you only get a few pithy comments
4. Avoid conflicts of interest
• Do not quote family members
• Do not report on story in which you or family members are directly involved
4. Avoid conflicts of interest
• Do not quote family members
• Do not report on story in which you or family members are directly involved
• Do not accept gifts from sources
5. Be fair and neutral
• Seek out the truth and report all sides
• Always contact someone who is being criticized by others
5. Be fair and neutral
• Seek out the truth and report all sides
• Always contact someone who is being criticized by others
• Write with an “objective” voice — keep your opinion to yourself
6. Identify yourself
• Always tell a potential source that you’re a reporter working on a story
• Never turn a conversation into an interview without permission
6. Identify yourself
• Always tell a potential source that you’re a reporter working on a story
• Never turn a conversation into an interview without permission
• Undercover assignments must be approved at the highest level
7. Anonymous sources
• Urge them to go on the record; use them as little as possible
• Your editor has a right to know
7. Anonymous sources
• Urge them to go on the record; use them as little as possible
• Your editor has a right to know
• You are bound by the promise you made
7. Anonymous sources
• Urge them to go on the record; use them as little as possible
• Your editor has a right to know
• You are bound by the promise you made
• Ex post facto requests to go off the record must be handled with care
8. Recorder protocol
• Massachusetts is a two-party state
• First thing we should hear is, “I’ve just turned on the recorder”
8. Recorder protocol
• Massachusetts is a two-party state
• First thing we should hear is, “I’ve just turned on the recorder”
• Recording is becoming more important in online journalism
9. Admit your mistakes
• We all make them
• Prompt and willing correction can help avoid libel suit
• Adds to media credibility
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