How the Press Can Prevent Another Iraq

Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin has put together a 10-point checklist to help journalists avoid drinking Bush’s Iranian-flavored Kool-Aid. The first point, in four parts, is below.

Nieman Watchdog:

You Can’t Be Too Skeptical of Authority

Don’t assume anything administration officials tell you is true. In fact, you are probably better off assuming anything they tell you is a lie.

Demand proof for their every assertion. Assume the proof is a lie. Demand that they prove that their proof is accurate.

Just because they say it, doesn’t mean it should be make the headlines. The absence of supporting evidence for their assertion—or a preponderance of evidence that contradicts the assertion—may be more newsworthy than the assertion itself.

Don’t print anonymous assertions. Demand that sources make themselves accountable for what they insist is true.

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