[Mick]

I won't comment on the accuracy of political reporting.  But I've been working with reporters and editors for over 30 years, and shepherded interviews with lawyers, auditors and consultants.  So it's just my narrow corner of the world, but I've learned a few things:

1) Reporters and editors select the topics, not readers.  Once you're in charge of figuring out what news is fit to print or film, then you've had a gravitational effect on the news itself, whether reporting is accurate or not.  Your article on the suffering of Palestinians or the suffering of Israelis may be 100% accurate, but make no mistake -- you've taken sides by selecting the topic.

2) Reporters typically have an angle and seek responses that fit that angle.  It's not malicious, it's just efficient and effective.  They're operating on deadline, so they really only have time to pursue that which feeds their angle.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to speak with a furious CPA / lawyer / consultant who said "we talked for xx minutes, and they only took two sentences.  And it was the wrong two sentences."  Which, by the way, I encourage every one of my billable professionals to write a bylined article themselves.  It's the only way to control content.  

3) Stories are on page one.  Corrections are on page 68, three days later.  Retractions are on page 1,012, three weeks later, if and when they come at all.

[Mick]

I won't comment on the accuracy of political reporting.  But I've been working with reporters and editors for over 30 years, and shepherded interviews with lawyers, auditors and consultants.  So it's just my narrow corner of the world, but I've learned a few things:

1) Reporters and editors select the topics, not readers.  Once you're in charge of figuring out what news is fit to print or film, then you've had a gravitational effect on the news itself, whether reporting is accurate or not.  Your article on the suffering of Palestinians or the suffering of Israelis may be 100% accurate, but make no mistake -- you've taken sides by selecting the topic.

2) Reporters typically have an angle and seek responses that fit that angle.  It's not malicious, it's just efficient and effective.  They're operating on deadline, so they really only have time to pursue that which feeds their angle.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to speak with a furious CPA / lawyer / consultant who said "we talked for xx minutes, and they only took two sentences.  And it was the wrong two sentences."  Which, by the way, I encourage every one of my billable professionals to write a bylined article themselves.  It's the only way to control content.  

3) Stories are on page one.  Corrections are on page 68, three days later.  Retractions are on page 1,012, three weeks later, if and when they come at all.