2008 Woodie Awards
Reporters have to get it right the first time
Christine Catarino, Melissa Ferriola, Andrew Joyce, Shayna Carrick, Sara Nylin, and Laura Fogerty
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: News
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A common phrase in the newsroom is "Get it first, but get it right. But get it first." By that measure, many major news outlets have been getting it wrong for a very long time.
Over the summer, in a front page flub reminiscent of the Chicago Tribune's infamous 1948 headline "Dewey Beats Truman," the New York Post reported that John Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president had chosen Dick Gephardt as his running mate for the 2004 Presidential race in the now also infamous "Kerry's Choice: Dem Picks VP Candidate."
The latest blow to the news media's credibility comes from the recent CBS scandal deemed "Rathergate." Despite his 42-year stint as a journalist on CBS news, Dan Rather is currently under intense scrutiny. On Sept. 8, 2004, Rather unveiled documents that led viewers to believe that the president received preferential treatment during his tenure in the National Guard. One week later, CBS admitted the documents were not authentic and should never have been broadcast.
Gerry McNulty, internship director at Marist College, said he believes the scandal will only reduce the public's trust of the media for a short period of time.
"I think it is a significant embarrassment for Rather and for CBS," McNulty said. "The short term effects are substantial in the heat of the political campaigns. This is a mistake people like Rather are not supposed to make. If you weren't sure of the story, don't run it. There is an immediate short-term situation of credibility."
In a recent WCBS interview with Marcia Kramer, Rather said he, as a journalist, gave too much trust to the source that provided the inauthentic documents. Rather and CBS said they are dedicated to deliver factual news to the public they serve.
"There is nothing more important than the trust of our viewers," Rather said.
Shawn Sheih, a political science professor at Marist College, said the public anticipates errors made in the news media, even from established journalists like Rather.
Over the summer, in a front page flub reminiscent of the Chicago Tribune's infamous 1948 headline "Dewey Beats Truman," the New York Post reported that John Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president had chosen Dick Gephardt as his running mate for the 2004 Presidential race in the now also infamous "Kerry's Choice: Dem Picks VP Candidate."
The latest blow to the news media's credibility comes from the recent CBS scandal deemed "Rathergate." Despite his 42-year stint as a journalist on CBS news, Dan Rather is currently under intense scrutiny. On Sept. 8, 2004, Rather unveiled documents that led viewers to believe that the president received preferential treatment during his tenure in the National Guard. One week later, CBS admitted the documents were not authentic and should never have been broadcast.
Gerry McNulty, internship director at Marist College, said he believes the scandal will only reduce the public's trust of the media for a short period of time.
"I think it is a significant embarrassment for Rather and for CBS," McNulty said. "The short term effects are substantial in the heat of the political campaigns. This is a mistake people like Rather are not supposed to make. If you weren't sure of the story, don't run it. There is an immediate short-term situation of credibility."
In a recent WCBS interview with Marcia Kramer, Rather said he, as a journalist, gave too much trust to the source that provided the inauthentic documents. Rather and CBS said they are dedicated to deliver factual news to the public they serve.
"There is nothing more important than the trust of our viewers," Rather said.
Shawn Sheih, a political science professor at Marist College, said the public anticipates errors made in the news media, even from established journalists like Rather.