Week 6: Abstract
Regret the Error
Regret the Error is a Web site devoted to publishing corrections, errors, retractions, apologies and trends regarding accuracy in today’s media. It was started by a freelance writer from Montreal named Craig Silverman. He’s interesting in reporting on what’s going on with newspaper accuracy and honesty and how it’s portrayed to the public. Silverman started the site merely as a blog and continued from there, focusing on hilarious retractions from newspapers and other media outlets and exposing the underlying story behind the corrections. In an article published on the Poynter Online site titled “Chip on Your Shoulder,” Silverman describes Regret the Error as a tool “to help journalists see that accuracy is an enabler of great journalism. Aside from being an essential nuts and bolts aspect of how we do our job, accuracy is a key that can unlock innovative, investigative journalism.”
I really like this site because not only does it provide hysterical examples of retractions, but it also gives journalists like me a sense of just how important accuracy can be. Silverman has a “Regret Roundup” category that lists an entire year’s worth of plagiarism examples and errors made in publications.
This is such a great site to bookmark because it’s a fun way to start your day. If every journalist checked this site at the beginning of a long day of work, not only would they be more focused on accuracy, but they would also be getting a kick out of what is actually being printed on some newspapers. Silverman makes it harder for news organizations to be unaccountable for their actions. He even points out major corporations that do not have corrections pages listed online (i.e. CBS News, ABC news, and CNN).
Accountability Journalism: Liberating Reporters and the Truth
I like when Jim Romenesko talks about reporting on what some political candidates say. It may be spin or distortion, but that doesn’t mean we’re obligated to report it. I think the line between fair comment and accountability could be blurry in some situations. It’s good to know that reporters don’t have to report everything that’s being said. It’s better to be fair and honest and accurate.
I also like the idea of putting in a calendar posting for a political story you may have covered. Romenesko says to make sure you follow up and see what actually did happen to the proposed bill, jury verdict, political claim, etc. I think that’s an awesome idea. Journalists are busy people who have a lot to think and write about. A simple thing like adding an entry on an electronic calendar makes it all the more easy to keep track of important information for readers.
Romenesko also goes into detail about how reporters often rely on politicians and officials to tell us what really happened and don’t go any further with the information. He quotes another man, John Dowling, as saying that stories become a “he said/she said” article that lack the truth and evidence that readers need. That’s a great point. It harkens back to the articles I’ve read about being accountable and backing up claims by asking questions and getting more sources. Journalists have got to go the extra mile to make sure the reader is really aware of what’s going on. It’s so easy to take the short route and print a story that looks, essentially, like a fully flushed out piece, but often times there’s something below the surface that hasn’t even been scratched. It’s a reporter’s job to figure out what’s there.
The Political Power of Words: Emerging Writers
Dean Powers wrote an article for The Nation about how the words regarding politics can often be a gross misrepresentation of the facts. He says journalists tend to use words that over generalize the facts. Powers says that writers and editors must be much more vigilant of the kinds of sentences being published in their newspapers, and he also says they should be holding stricter standers for the words that might lead to confusion.
It’s a good point to make that journalists often use shorthand buzzwords to describe something that is so complex and full of misinterpretations because it’s easier. We’re taught to be concise and to the point, and by using those words, we can be short. It’s easier to use words like “conservative” and “liberal” rather than writing out a sentence, or sentences, to truly give the readers a sense of exactly what they mean.
A good piece of advice is the article says journalists shouldn’t let their sources influence the way they write. Journalists have to be accountable and honest about what’s really going on.
I was also impressed with the paragraphs about how two colors, red and blue, can be so totally inaccurate at describing the opinions of the nation, but yet they are highly used. It’s silly to think that a person could fit perfectly into one set of political beliefs. Often people tend to be more “conservative” about some issues and more “liberal” on others.
Basically, journalists should avoid words with political baggage that can skew the real news.
