Journalistic truth

"Journalistic truth" is more than mere accuracy. It is a sorting-out process that takes place between the initial story and the interaction among the public, newsmakers, and journalists. - The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

When a journalist uncovers a piece of truth, it becomes incumbent upon him, in order to develop it into a neat story, to call interested parties for comments. This is an optional step, but it helps tell a better story. It’s not always a bad idea just to report the truth: reports, secret documents, and so forth.

What this does is it allows people that have a vested interest to react to the story; although these individuals or as they are called “newsmakers” are reacting sometimes there are different takes. And it is not uncommon for one side of the fence to bad mouth the other while being off-the-record which helps the reporter put the story in its right context and right perspective – whatever that is.

So a story can be simply put: (1) the fact or newly uncovered fact, (2) bunch of comments from people that have an interest in the story; (3) comments from both sides: special interest, public officials, and anyone that might have a different view – balancing. (4) And finally arranging all of that together and making it sound as if these people are having a conversation countering and responding to each other.

After reading a story like that it allows the public to figure out for themselves and with some nods and prods from the arranger to figure out who is a lying scum and who isn’t. And it is this process that is often used by the public at the ballot.