Believe it or not: Some here don't think fact checking is an important journalistic ethic:

[ddeclue]

So for those who think it's OK to hand somebody a microphone to just make up whatever they like and then put it on the air as having equal weight with the proveable truth:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards

Accuracy and standards for factual reporting

Reporters are expected to be as accurate as possible given the time allotted to story preparation and the space available, and to seek reliable sources.

Events with a single eyewitness are reported with attribution. Events with two or more independent eyewitnesses may be reported as fact. Controversial facts are reported with attribution.

Independent fact-checking by another employee of the publisher is desirable

Corrections are published when errors are discovered

Defendants at trial are treated only as having "allegedly" committed crimes, until conviction, when their crimes are generally reported as fact (unless, that is, there is serious controversy about wrongful conviction).

Opinion surveys and statistical information deserve special treatment to communicate in precise terms any conclusions, to contextualize the results, and to specify accuracy, including estimated error and methodological criticism or flaws.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. And some people are idiots.

K&R

[timeforpeace]

7. "Some here" must be journalists.

[rug]

2. Wait a minute.Your only link in a fact checking post is to wikipedia?

[DireStrike]

3. Heh. Anyway, wiki is great for non-controversial issues. -nt-

[johnaries]

5. Ironic, isn't it? n/t

[johnaries]

4. Believe it or not, some people think that a single error can negate

the rest of a report that is accurate.

No article is 100% accurate. If you find a single error in a report from an otherwise reliable source, point it out to them and allow them to issue a correction. To completely disregard an entire source that is usually accurate because they happen to be wrong on a single, small detail is - well, immature and unrealistic.

Even the best sources make mistakes. At least give them a chance to correct it.

[ddeclue]

6. Believe it or not a single error CAN negate the rest of the story.

Buzz Aldrin wasn't the first man to walk on the moon.

That's a single error in a story.