On Dec. 4, the China Times ran a front-page story that President Chen Shui-bian (
First, was the story subjected to the established reporting procedures of truly professional journalists before publication? According to the editorial desk's explanation the next day, "the newspaper cross-checked the story with various sources. But the confirmation was incomplete, because the paper failed to verify the allegation with Chen or appropriate presidential staff in a timely manner."
The media can be more confident about the accuracy of information when it is confirmed by at least two sources. However, reporters are not always able to complete laborious confirmation work before deadlines. As a result, they have to depend on the reliability of their sources, as well as their own understanding of the story. Mistakes are inevitable under such circumstances. In this case, the paper verified the story with various sources. But it did not obtain a comment from Chen and without it the report was not balanced.
The report referred only to reliable sources and insiders. Is it appropriate not to name sources? Reporters should name sources in the interests of their own cred-ibility as well as their accountability. Still, when a story is sensitive, it's perfectly normal for reporters to protect their sources. Undoubtedly, some reporters may use the protection of sources as a pretext to hide their laziness and irresponsibility, but the occasional genuine need to protect sources cannot be ignored. Nor can it be presumed that a report in which a source is not identified is necessarily incorrect.
Did the newspaper itself play the role of gatekeeper? This role is crucial to the way in which a story is presented. The process can also reduce mistakes, although it's difficult to avoid personal biases and structural distortion. More importantly, through repeated checks and discussions, journalists can reduce the possible political, economic, social or legal impact of a report.
Third is the media's own news judgment, which determines the value that the public places in a report. The more valuable a news piece is, the more noticeable a position it occupies. Editorial desks should stick to their guns once they have decided to run as front-page leads -- after thorough confirmation and evaluation -- reports making grave charges.
In the name of truth and the media's duty to monitor the government, journalists must strive to get to the bottom of this story.
Ku Lin-lin is an associate professor of journalism at National Taiwan University.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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