Posted on 02/14/2007 7:30:39 PM PST by FLOutdoorsman
After the latest widely-publicized stories in national newspapers about weapons from Iran allegedly killing Americans in Iraq -- based completely on unnamed sources -- at least one smaller news outlet has had enough of it.
The news director of the public radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has directed his staff to "ignore national stories quoting unnamed sources." He also called on other news outlets to join this policy.
Bill Dupuy sent the following to his news staff. *
Effectively immediately and until further notice, it is the policy of KSFR's news department to ignore and not repeat any wire service or nationally published story about Iran, China, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia or any other foreign power that quotes an "unnamed" U.S. official.
What we have suspected and talked about at length before is now becoming clear. "High administration officials speaking on the condition of anonymity," "Usually reliable Washington sources," and others of the like were behind the publicity that added credibility to the need to go to war against Afghanistan and Iraq.
Our news department covers local news. But, like local newspapers and others, we occassionally are taken in by national stories that we have no way to verify.
This is a small news department with a small reach. We cannot research these stories ourselves. But we can take steps not to compromise our integrity. We should not dutifully parrot whatever comes out of Washington, on the wire or by whatever means, no matter how intriguing and urgent it sounds, when the source is unnamed.
I am also calling on our colleagues in other local news departments -- broadcast and print -- to take the same professional approach.
Wonder if that'll hold true for stories denigrating our Armed forces, lying about Marines or condemning prewar intelligence?
Exactly. That would be a headline!
I'm sure the NY Times will line right up behind this.
Like other public radio stations, I'm sure they will have balanced reporting about the military, the Iraq war, and the WOT.
They will continue to have on experts who are really, really, really against the Iraq war, the military, etc. and others, representing the opposite viewpoint, who are really, really against the Iraq war, the military, etc.
"ignore national stories quoting unnamed sources."
Translation: "ignore national stories quoting unnamed sources unless they are leaked or invented by leftists."
Sounds like they want to be ostrich's..and keep out all of the "bad" news..
Hey..I don't trust Reuters or the AP either..but that doesn't mean I don't want to know what they are reporting.
Not all bad!
I assume your comment was rhetorical in the extreme.
This new rule is right after the one that says, "Thou shalt not report party of alleged perp as Democrat, unless 20 paragraphs have passed or, if said story is less than two pages, not at all"
The Agenda !
>> Wonder if that'll hold true for stories denigrating our Armed forces, lying about Marines or condemning prewar intelligence?
Of course not. It's amazing how the media is sickened by it's own principles when applied evenly to those with whom they despise; i.e., the good guys.
What a revolutionary idea. Guess that will remove all global warming articles from the paper since 99 per cent of them say "scientists" or "experts". Names please.
Of course.
Did I miss something? Did the story about the weapons from Iran turn out to be false?
I'm sure they would have little trouble quoting unnamed sources that said George Bush is Hitler.
Funny. Unnamed sources is the modus operandi of the occupation media.
;^)
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