I don't believe in these headline-hunting interviews. That's just not my style.
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.
Similar quotes
In the normal course of things, journalists want their story, and as soon as they are through with it, they pack their cameras and go. That was never the impression that David Astor gave when you were interviewed by him. It was far deeper than that.
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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.
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David HalberstamRead
Purchasing a story in order to bury it is a practice that many in the tabloid industry call 'catch and kill.'
Ronan FarrowRead