Misinformation

Misinformation seems to be a common topic these days.

As a former journalist and reporter, I long for the days of Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, Huntley and Brinkley, Edward R. Murrow, and dozens more.

They were my role models as I grew up and remained so as I learned my skill in college and honed it as a newspaper reporter. They projected skill, trust, earnestness, honesty, and determined dedication to reporting the day’s news in a fair and unbiased way.

They didn’t take sides, twist facts, throw around fictional stories, but were diligent in reporting accurate and factional news.

I was fortu nate to have editors who insisted I delve deep into any story I wrote. They demanded honesty in my writing, whether it is what I want ed the truth to be. I could not report what I believed to be real, but rather they required the research, the interviews, and the evidence, to support what I was reporting.

If these editors had a belief or an opinion that differed from the research, those views went on the editorial page, not in the news story.

These were difficult lessons to learn as a young reporter. I remember reporting on a murder case and the wife of the accused was called to testified. In my story, I said she was an attractive woman, and my editor quickly marked the word ‘attractive’out. I argued, saying she was lovely, and he asked, “To whom?”

“To me, to anyone looking at her.” Was my indignant response.

It took me a minute to realize he was correct. I thought she was attractive, but not every reader would think so when looking at her. Some might think she was too tall, too black, too heavy, too something I didn’t consider a flaw.

I don’t know how many times I attempted to insert my beliefs into a story, but he was ruthless in his dedication to keeping the story, the news, the article free of my judgements.

When reporting on an accident that involved the city police chief, I learned from hospital records he had bruises on his chest, but he and his wife claimed she was driving, not him. They both had been to a party, where they admitted they had imbibed alcohol.

I really liked the police chief, we were friends, and I knew if I reported what I had found, the chances were high he might lose his job.

My duty as a reporter was not to decide if he was guilty of lying and driving while intoxicated, but to report what the medical report stated, what I learned talking with hospital personnel, and that the police department and the county sheriff’s office were investigating the accident.

He, in fact, resigned with no charges filed, and I was sorry he lost his job. He had been a good chief, but he admitted his guilt, and our friendship ended.

Sometimes it is hard and lonely to be a reporter. Sometimes it is exhilarating and satisfying. But it is always necessary to disperse the news with honesty, integrity, and clarity.

I hope voters are reading and listening to reporters who are committed to the truth in the upcoming election.