There's hostility to lying, and there should be.
Bob WoodwardRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of careful consideration by the media before reporting news.
Bob Woodward suggests that while a complete peace in media reporting may be unattainable, there is a crucial need for journalists to exercise restraint and reflect for a moment before disseminating information. This calls for responsible journalism that prioritizes accuracy over speed, recognizing the potential impact of hasty reporting on public perception and societal discourse.
Themes
MediaAccuracyJournalismResponsibilityReporting
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on media ethics, this quote can highlight the need for fidelity in reporting.
More from Bob Woodward
All quotes →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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The central dilemma in journalism is that you don't know what you don't know.
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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.
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Using these unnamed sources, if done properly, carefully and fairly, provides more accountability in government.
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