Consider using an accuracy checklist.
(Update on Jan. 29, 2015: The NPR Accuracy Checklist and a “memmo” about why it’s important are now posted here.) Before our reporting reaches the public, we check “everything that walks or talks or...
View ArticleAttribute generously, and respect fair use.
Always be fair to your colleagues in the news media when drawing from their reports. Just as we insist that NPR be given credit for its work, we are generous in giving credit to others for their scoops...
View ArticleThe ‘don’ts’ of anonymity.
No attacks. In our coverage, anonymous or unnamed sources generally cannot make pejorative comments about the character, reputation, or personal qualities of another individual, or derogatory...
View ArticleWhen you cite the sources of others, attribute clearly.
When we attribute information to anonymous sources, it is assumed that these are our sources and that we have obtained the information firsthand from them. If this is not the case, and we are referring...
View ArticleConsider the legal implications of your actions, regardless of the medium.
Whether in an NPR newscast or a tweet, “you always have to take into consideration what you’re saying, what you know, what you don’t know, and be thoughtful about not making libelous comments whatever...
View ArticleAttribute everything.
Attribute, attribute and attribute some more. No material from another source should ever be included verbatim, or substantially so, without attribution. This includes material from Associated Press...
View ArticleOne exception: Wire transcripts don’t necessarily need attribution.
There is one type of material we routinely get from our wire services (The Associated Press and Reuters) that does not necessarily need to be attributed to the wire service. That is where a wire story...
View ArticleSocial media are excellent tools when handled correctly.
Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter have become an integral part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. As NPR grows to serve an audience that extends well beyond...
View ArticleComparison
I. Statement of purpose II. Who is covered III. Statement of principles IV. Conflicts of interest V. Outside work, freelancing, speaking engagements VI. Personal gain, gifts, freebies, loaned equipment...
View ArticleOne Story, Several Ethical Issues
Wednesday’s note about those free tablets that Chrysler offered to reporters generated several suggestions from folks about other recent stories I might want to share. Here’s one from The Daily Beast’s...
View ArticleAlleged, Accused, Suspected: When Can We Stop Using Those Words?
The murders Friday night in Santa Barbara have once again raised questions about whether we need to keep using words such as “alleged” or “suspected” when reporting about a now-deceased person who has...
View Article‘Can We Go With It?’ Maybe Not, Because ‘One And One And One’ Isn’t Always Three
Reuters moves an alert — “Defense official: senior Taliban official killed in drone strike.” The Associated Press says — “Pentagon official: Taliban official killed by drone strike in Pakistan.” CBS...
View ArticleReminder: Whether To Go With ‘First-Name-Only’ Needs To Be Discussed And...
There’s been a flurry of appeals to the Standards & Practices editor and the DMEs in recent weeks about identifying someone we’ve spoken to by a first name only. At least once, a first-name-only...
View ArticleOn Why We Didn’t Join The Rush To Name The Ebola Patient
Just before 1 p.m. ET today, NPR confirmed the name of the man being treated for Ebola at a Dallas hospital. This post is about why we didn’t cite news reports of his name last night or for much of...
View ArticleReminder: Attribute And Qualify The News About Sony And North Korea
When reporting about the Sony hacking and North Korea’s possible involvement, attribution is important. We should also be careful about how we characterize the connection. Lakshmi Singh began her noon...
View ArticleThe NPR Accuracy Checklist
Mistakes happen, but lately we’ve been making too many. See for yourself on our corrections page: http://www.npr.org/corrections The checklist that follows is a reminder of things we all know we should...
View ArticleGuidance On Key Words That Come Up In The Planned Parenthood Stories
Flatly saying or writing that Planned Parenthood officials have been secretly recorded discussing the sale of fetal tissue is akin to concluding that they committed a crime. That is a problem. We...
View ArticleStories About Illinois Police Officer’s Death Underscore Need To Attribute
A look back at our coverage of what happened to Illinois police Lt. Charles Gliniewicz, who authorities now say killed himself, highlights the importance of attributing information and not getting...
View ArticleWhen There’s No Evidence To Support A Claim, We Should Say That
Politicians, public officials and — yes — members of the press will say things that don’t check out. – Brian Williams’ helicopter was not shot down. – Hillary Clinton did not have to run to her car...
View ArticleWhat Did We Say About That? A Guide To The 2015 ‘Memmos’
What did Mark annoy us about in 2015? Here are the year’s “Memmos,” divided into categories: ANONYMITY AND SOURCING - An Anonymous Editor Thinks What The ‘Times’ Did Was Funny -...
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