I take a certain pride in having maintained a reputation for fast copy throughout my newspaper career. Fast-breaking stories left my typewriter in a hurry. Not great literature, perhaps, but fast, and usually accurate.
Walter CronkiteRead
My inclination, as an old-school, classically trained journalist, is not to go with a story unless I have it hard. It's not good enough to say something based on rumors that were flying around.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Credibility in journalism requires verifiable facts rather than rumors.
Wolf Blitzer emphasizes the importance of integrity and accuracy in journalism, arguing that one should not report a story without substantial proof. This reflects a deeper value in responsible reporting, where confirming facts and avoiding speculation is essential for maintaining trust with the audience.
Themes
JournalismTruthIntegrityFactsReporting
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on media ethics, one might reference this quote to highlight the value of factual reporting.
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