Hire people smarter than you are and encourage them to bloom.
Ben BradleeRead
The really tough thing would have been to decide to take Woodward and Bernstein off the story. They were carrying the coal for us - in that their stories were right.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the importance of trust and teamwork in journalism.
In this quote, Ben Bradlee emphasizes the critical role that reporters Woodward and Bernstein played in uncovering the truth during the Watergate scandal. He reflects on the difficult decision of whether to remove them from the story, acknowledging that their investigative reporting was crucial and reliable, demonstrating the significance of collaboration and integrity within journalism.
Themes
JournalismTrustTeamworkTruthIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of investigative reporting.
More from Ben Bradlee
All quotes →As long as a journalist tells the truth, in conscience and fairness, it is not his job to worry about consequences. The truth is never as dangerous as a lie in the long run. I truly believe the truth sets men free.
Ben BradleeRead
It changes your life, the pursuit of truth.
Ben BradleeRead
Sure, some journalists use anonymous sources just because they’re lazy, and I think editors ought to insist on more precise identification even if they remain anonymous.
Ben BradleeRead
Sometimes I am convinced there is nothing wrong with this country that couldn't be cured by the magical implantation of ethical standards on us all - leaders and followers. Until that becomes doable, the Center for Public Integrity is just about the best thing we have going for us.
Ben BradleeRead
Nothing's riding on this, except the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys f-k up again, I'm gonna get mad.
Ben BradleeRead
Similar quotes
The most important ethical issues and the most difficult ones are the human ones because a reporter has enormous power to hurt people.
Carl BernsteinRead
I don't believe newspaper reporters can substitute for a district attorney, but a newspaper has a very valid investigative role. Newspaper reports on corruption in government, racketeering and organized crime conditions can be very helpful to your communities and the whole country.
Robert KennedyRead
The great concern is that year after year, rising numbers of journalists are being killed in pursuit of their work. They are increasingly seen as not being neutral but rather as combatants by one side or the other.
Salman RushdieRead
I have been asking if I'm an activist or a journalist. And my answer is very simple. I'm just a journalist who asks questions.
Jorge RamosRead
As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Molly IvinsRead
As a journalist, I know what it is like to incur the self-righteous wrath of people who denounce you for things you didn't say or didn't mean.
Anne ApplebaumRead