Hire people smarter than you are and encourage them to bloom.
Ben BradleeRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A journalist's responsibility is to report the truth, regardless of potential fallout, as honesty ultimately liberates individuals.
Ben Bradlee emphasizes the paramount importance of truthfulness in journalism. He argues that while there might be immediate consequences for revealing the truth, in the long term, honesty fosters freedom and is far less detrimental than deception. A journalist should prioritize authenticity and fairness over the fear of repercussions, supporting the idea that truth strengthens society.
Themes
TruthJournalismFreedomHonestyConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about media ethics, one could quote this to highlight the importance of truth in journalism.
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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.
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