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May 26, 2013
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 Weasel Words vs. Truth in the Gray LadyPosted on Jan 14, 2012
New York Times public editor Arthur Brisbane asked in a blog whether reporters should more aggressively challenge the truth of statements made by political figures in its news pages. Readers gave him an earful. Most respondents said that, of course, the paper’s job is to report and print the truth. But Brisbane’s question makes sense from a more nuanced newsroom perspective, writes Guardian contributor Clay Shirky. A statement about President Obama made by Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney alluded to a claim without making it head on. It’s that kind of “weasly” remark that Brisbane was curious about. But as Shirky says, the question looks ludicrous from the readers’ perspective: “Readers do not care about the epistemological differences between lies and weasel words; we want newspapers to limit the ability of politicians to make dubious assertions without penalty.” —ARK
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By Glenn12, January 14, 2012 at 11:53 pm Link to this comment
Yup, Blueokie, Brisbane is a buffoon. Then to stumble twice trying to clarify his position? Out of touch and an elitist clown.
A good journalist should have a strong dose of skepticism when doing an interview. Specifically when dealing with any politician.
Report thisBy they call me the working man, January 14, 2012 at 11:26 pm Link to this comment
hetero said “reporters haven’t a right to substitute their opinions for the news”
Nothing that I said calls for them to do that.
Report thisBy heterochromatic, January 14, 2012 at 9:44 pm Link to this comment
journalists should show the distortions and the outright lies, work.
but not in a straight news story.
reporters haven’t a right to substitute their opinions for the news without labeling
their opinions AS opinions.
I suggest that no one can complain about how the media distorts the news when
you’re advocating that reporters have a DUTY to distort the news.
we need truth, but we don’t need Pravda.
Report thisBy they call me the working man, January 14, 2012 at 8:56 pm Link to this comment
Hetero said “the primary job of reporters is to tell the readers what happened”
Which is exactly why they should call out lies and distortions. If a subterfuge is occurring, they should report it.
Report thisBy Blueokie, January 14, 2012 at 2:54 pm Link to this comment
The fact that Brisbane would even posit this opinion in a non-sarcastic/satirical way proves that he is an unqualified buffoonish hack.
In the Corporate State, where everything is commodified, facts and truth go to the paymaster or highest bidder.
Report thisBy felicity, January 14, 2012 at 1:51 pm Link to this comment
When Jefferson said that as long as this Republic
Report thisdidn’t ‘lose’ the freedom of the press, it would
survive. Well, if the press doesn’t do the job of the
press, we’ve lost it.
By heterochromatic, January 14, 2012 at 12:54 pm Link to this comment
the primary job of reporters is to tell the readers
what happened and not to overtly intrude upon the
story.
follow ups, analyses and opinion pieces are where the
evaluations belong…and it’s wise to distinguish which
is which.
news reporting isn’t all crusading all the time.
Report thisBy bpawk, January 14, 2012 at 11:06 am Link to this comment
As the article states: “New York Times public editor Arthur Brisbane asked in a blog whether reporters should more aggressively challenge the truth of statements made by political figures in its news pages.”........
In response to any inaccuracies or rhetoric made by politicians, just go to the government source (whether senate, governor, president etc.), look on how they voted or debated issues in government (whether health care, war, taxes etc), and publish it - that’s their official record, something they can’t dispute - nothing tells the truth more than past performance. They cannot sue any newspaper as long as it is the truth, especially the official record for all taxpayers to see.
Report thisJournalists can not only give opinions, they can publish state records.