I don't think there will ever be a permanent truce, but I believe the media needs to be more careful and be willing to count to 10 before rushing on the air or into print.
Bob WoodwardRead
The central dilemma in journalism is that you don't know what you don't know.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Journalism involves uncertainty and the challenge of discovering unknown truths.
This quote by Bob Woodward highlights a fundamental challenge faced by journalists: the limitation of their knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of inquiry and investigation, as there are often aspects of a story or situation that remain hidden until further exploration is undertaken. This speaks to the necessity of curiosity and diligence in journalism to uncover the full scope of truth, particularly in a world filled with complexities and often, misinformation.
Themes
JournalismTruthInquiryKnowledgeIgnorance
In practice
Example use cases
In a journalism class, to emphasize the importance of thorough investigation.
More from Bob Woodward
All quotes βThere's hostility to lying, and there should be.
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Newspapers that are truly independent, like The Washington Post, can still aggressively investigate anyone or anything with no holds barred.
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The legislator learns that when you talk a lot, you get in trouble. You have to listen a lot to make deals.
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I'm not going to name some of my colleagues who are very well-known for their television presentation, but they wouldn't know new information or how to report a story if it came up and bit them.
Bob WoodwardRead
Using these unnamed sources, if done properly, carefully and fairly, provides more accountability in government.
Bob WoodwardRead
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