The document outlines best practices for journalists to ensure accuracy and credibility in reporting, including methods for verifying information from sources and social media. It emphasizes the importance of taking accurate notes, evaluating sources' motivations, and challenging questionable information. Additionally, it covers the significance of contextual understanding in journalism and the need for thorough documentation to support claims.

1. Accuracy& VerificationGeorgetown UniversitySept. 17, 2011Steve Buttry

2. Read more about itstevebuttry.wordpress.com@stevebuttrystephenbuttry@gmail.com

3. Plan for the dayIntro and overviewCauses and types of errorsGetting it rightVetting & verifying info from social mediaTaking accurate notesPreventing errorsIf your sources are wrong …

4. Your worst error …

5. Journalism basicsThe 5 W’sWho?What?When?Where?Why?How?

6. Journalism basicsThe 5 W’sWho?What?When?Where?Why?How?Just as essentialHow do you know that?How else do you know that?

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

8. Causes & types of errors

9. Get the names rightAsk each source to spell nameSpell name back (even common names)Show spelling in notebookGet 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 sourceDoes he/she have official access?Is he/she well-connected to get unofficial access?Your history w/ sourceSource’s motivation in telling the truth (or lying)

12. Evaluate the infoIs 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 informationWho 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 technologyMake audio recording (audio clips are good web content)Make video recording (or livestream event/interviewTake notes at keyboard (or liveblog)Take photos (not just for story)

16. Why take (good) notes?Some sources don’t want to be recordedYou can’t always record everything on videoYou don’t have time to replay full recorded interview/eventRecording equipment malfunctionsAudio may be inaudible

17. What goes in notes?You’re doing story, not minutes or transcriptRecord what’s relevant for storyDistinguish between info & quotesTake context notesRecord your questions in notes

18. Echo, echo,echoSlow 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 accuracyLiveblog and/or live-tweetReview, expand & annotate notes right after interview/eventWrite 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, lettersPhotosVideos (security, media, personal)Personal

22. What’s in the WalMart sack?DocumentationContextDetails AuthenticityCredibilityTruth