A newsroom can be a noisy, busy place.
Stories race from desk to printers at a breakneck pace.
Yet in our eagerness to disseminate information, we remain always focused to the theme that accuracy must never be sacrificed.
The recent report on Harbor Freight Tools’ forthcoming establishment in La Grande serves as a key reminder of the importance of rigorous fact checking before publication.
Rumors have swirled through La Grande, particularly regarding the fate of the former Rite Aid building, where construction crews have been diligently at work for several weeks. Like many in our community, we’ve observed these developments and heard the whispers. We’ve even answered questions from readers about why we haven’t printed a report on the new business.
In an era dominated by the rapid dissemination of information via social media and the insatiable appetite for instant gratification, the risk of spreading information that has not been verified is real. A single piece of wrong information can create a bubble of misinformation that neither helps us as reporters nor you, the reader.
Confusion from just plain wrong information erodes trust. Sure, we’re human. We are going to make mistakes. But if those mistakes can be attributed to human nature, then we can make adjustments, create policy and safeguards. Yet if the information is wrong because it wasn’t checked, if the information wasn’t vetted and still goes to print, the blame is squarely on our shoulders.
A rigorous fact-checking process is crucial to our success. Fact-checking enhances our integrity and credibility.
In the case of Harbor Freight’s anticipated arrival in La Grande, we absolutely had to get verification directly from the company. While the temptation to be the first to break the news was palpable, we understood that accuracy takes precedence over speed. This approach ensures that our readers receive information that is authenticated.
Looking forward, we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining these rigorous standards. Every story that graces our pages will continue to undergo meticulous scrutiny and verification, ensuring that our readers receive nothing but the most accurate and reliable reporting.
