KSFR says NO to unnamed source stories
After the recent widely-publicized stories in the main stream media 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.
Bill Dupuy, the news director of the public radio station KSFR in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has directed his staff to ignore national stories that quote unnamed sources. He also challenged other news outlets to take the same stance. 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.
Mr.Dupuy, I commend you. This may be the action of one man at a small public radio station, but it shows more principle and integrity than most of your larger peers combined. May what you have started in New Mexico become a growing trend in returning to the long lost days of actual news reporting and the decline of the "stage production news-dramas" that have taken over. . .
Labels: Media
posted by John Good @ 8:25 PM
13 Comments:
YES! YES! YES!
Way to go, Mr. Dupuy.
I called Hubby in to read this over my shoulder, and he agreed.
YES!
Finally. The tide begins to turn. One station at a time.
One news outlet at a time.
John, if you have his address, I would LOVE to write him and thank him.
John, nevermind on the address. I went back to the link and found it on the sidebar.
Letter on the way to this courageous MARVELOUS man.
Great story. I will research this more today. I would love to see this stance more often, but the media, being bought and paid for, isn't going to deliver the real news. Like those flag draped coffins over at my place, you won't see them on the air.
Good job bringing this out to us. Thanks.
Fanfriggin'tastic. Perhaps the national media could follow this fine example. Not holding my breath, though.
This is EXCELLENT with a capital E! I turned around and told my family about this one. I hope others take the lead and follow.
Unnamed sources told me that Iran is really behind the 9/11 attacks, the E. coli scare at Taco Bell, the death of Chris Farley, and the cancellation of "Sledge Hammer".
My e-mail to them (to the address on their website)
I've never heard your station on the air - I live near Chicago, and have no reason to visit your fair state.
But I heard from a reliable blogger - John Good - http://leftinaboite.blogspot.com/ - that your station has taken the unprecedented stance of refusing to air stories that are attributed to anonymous sources. I applaud your decision, and hope that yours is but the first in a chain-reaction of stations refusing to allow themselves to be used as propaganda outlets by unscrupulous individuals.
If I'm ever out your way - I'll dial in and listen. If you have any major advertisers who would also do business in the Chicago area, please let me know, as I will gladly support those who support a station with such high standards.
Sincerely,
Excellent story! I commend the radio station very highly!!!
You know, it's all about supply and demand. Do you think the Paparazzi would have jobs if people stopped buying the trash rags? Those that won't publish the stories due to unnamed sources are commended, but people will still read it, or hear about it through other sources (named).
John.... yo, John.
Check out C&L Blog Round-Up.
Wooo Hooo!!!!
whoo-hoo -- the old broad took the words outta my mouth -- whoo-hoo!!!
This is a step that ALL "real" news orgs need to take. If they want to spread lies, we shouldn't help them. This ain't France in the 18th century....
The "old broad" got me published - THANKS, HILL!!!!!!! =)
It's about time that news outlets stopped reporting stories using unnamed sources.
Use their names or don't report the story. But then we are living in America the Fourth Reich under the Decider Der Fuehrer Bush and his Nazi minions.
God Bless.
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