These are slides for a workshop on accuracy and verification at Georgetown University. I am collaborating with Craig Silverman on the workshop.

1. Accuracy& Verification Georgetown University Sept. 17, 2011 Steve Buttry

2. Read more about it stevebuttry.wordpress.com @stevebuttry stephenbuttry@gmail.com

3. Plan for the day Intro and overview Causes and types of errors Getting it right Vetting & verifying info from social media Taking accurate notes Preventing errors If your sources are wrong …

4. Your worst error …

5. Journalism basics The 5 W’s Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

6. Journalism basics The 5 W’s Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Just as essential How do you know that? How else do you know that?

7. Degrees of truth “Truthiness” & “Semi-True Story” Accurate but incomplete & misleading Accurate in context Truth = Accuracy + context + credibility SPJ Code of Ethics: “Seek truth and report it.”

8. Causes & types of errors

9. Get the names right Ask each source to spell name Spell name back (even common names) Show spelling in notebook Get it in writing (biz card, desk, notebook, program) Check online & archives (but be careful) Get contact info

10. How do you know that? If first-hand knowledge: What did you see? What did you hear? Feel? Smell? If heard it, from whom? How can I reach him/her? If read it, where? Where can I get that document or report? Don’t worry about annoying source w/ questions.

11. Evaluate the source Does he/she have official access? Is he/she well-connected to get unofficial access? Your history w/ source Source’s motivation in telling the truth (or lying)

12. Evaluate the info Is it theory, speculation, rumor or fact? Is it current? Is it complete? What is the context? Does is make sense? If it sounds too good to be true …

13. Challenge the information Who else would know? What documents would confirm or refute? Who would have a different perspective? Who would wish this wasn’t true?

14. Vetting & verifying

15. Use technology Make audio recording (audio clips are good web content) Make video recording (or livestream event/interview Take notes at keyboard (or liveblog) Take photos (not just for story)

16. Why take (good) notes? Some sources don’t want to be recorded You can’t always record everything on video You don’t have time to replay full recorded interview/event Recording equipment malfunctions Audio may be inaudible

17. What goes in notes? You’re doing story, not minutes or transcript Record what’s relevant for story Distinguish between info & quotes Take context notes Record your questions in notes

18. Echo, echo,echo Slow speaker down & repeat (You said fifteen – one-five – million with an M, right?) Rephrase (Let me make sure I understood correctly: You said …) Repeat in your mind as you’re taking key quote down

19. Workflow for accuracy Liveblog and/or live-tweet Review, expand & annotate notes right after interview/event Write right away (even if story is a long-term one) Review quotes in recordings

20. Get the “WalMart sack”

21. Get the “WalMart sack” Ask sources for documentation: Contemporary notes, journals, diaries, emails, letters Photos Videos (security, media, personal) Personal

22. What’s in the WalMart sack? Documentation Context Details Authenticity Credibility Truth