- 1 (9)
- Business Management (21)
- Food Issues (7)
- Issues Management (14)
- Media (11)
- Mergers and Acquisitions (12)
- Personal Observations (37)
- Reputation Management (64)
- Social Media/Technology (47)
- Sustainability (53)
Fact vs. Truth
Central to these discussions is whether a story is accurate and true or not. While this usually is a fairly easy conclusion to reach for those in other professions, it is not quite so simple for us.
Often, the notion of whether a story is “factual” becomes secondary. What we really want to know is if the story is “true.”
As a former newspaper and wire service reporter, I am particularly sensitive to this issue. Let’s stop and think before we pile on the news media, blaming reporters for producing stories that are factual, but misleading.
Especially today, with news organizations assigning many beats to a single reporter, it is not reasonable to expect a reporter to understand all the complexities of a particular organization or industry and what the facts actually mean. That’s our job.
So the next time you see a factual story that is lacking in perspective or context, ask yourself this: “Was the reporter properly prepared to do the story? Did we share the story’s possible ‘twists and turns’ with the reporter? Did we set the reporter up to succeed or fail?”
One Response to “Fact vs. Truth”
Chuck, good points. I agree that there is shared responsibility in accurate reporting.
Leave a Reply
Support rally for overseas troops slated for Walworth County FairJanesville GazetteRaffle tickets will be available at the Support Our Troops Rally at
Belleville man is Walworth County Fair's first Senior IdolJanesville Gazette3, 2010 Four people competed Thursday evening in the finals for the fi
And ... they're off!Janesville Gazette (blog)That was the case Saturday at the Walworth County Fair. Saddle Horse Superintendent Rick Welsch of Da
Equestrian club stresses teamworkJanesville GazetteJillian Cline whips her way around a barrel during the barrel racing event at the Walworth County F
Walworth County Fair shows off Wisconsin's excellent chicken farmersFOX6Now.com MilwaukeeWith the Walworth County Fair underway, the rides and foo
Janesville GazetteWalworth County Fair officials expect boost in attendanceJanesville Gazette29, 2010 Kadir Ozdemir installs colorful flags on top of
Some nice words for Walworth County and a little adviceJanesville Gazette (blog)"It's a county fair, you never know what you'll get."
Focus on girls volleyballMilwaukee Journal SentinelTwo other players, senior middle blocker Meg Webber and junior outside hitter Cassidy Robers, were
Couple find all's fair in love, tractor pullingJanesville GazetteThe couple travels to fairs and competitions across the state and throughout neig
Rock, Walworth teens compete in big numbers at State FairJanesville GazetteIn the weeks between the state fair and the Walworth County Fair, Weisensel