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A newspaper, not having to act on its descriptions and reports, but only to sell them to idly curious people, has nothing but honor to lose by inaccuracy and non-veracity.
George Bernard Shaw
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote critiques the media's responsibility, suggesting that inaccuracy costs them only their integrity.

George Bernard Shaw's quote reflects on the nature of journalism and media responsibility. He highlights that newspapers, driven by profit and the curiosity of their audience, often prioritize sensationalism over truthfulness. By stating they have 'nothing but honor to lose,' Shaw emphasizes the moral obligation of the press to provide accurate information, which is compromised when financial gain takes precedence over veracity.

Themes

MediaJournalismAccuracyIntegrityTruthReporting

In practice

Example use cases

During a seminar on media ethics, this quote can illustrate the importance of accuracy in reporting.

More from George Bernard Shaw

What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
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Those who talk most about the blessings of marriage and the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the chain were broken and the prisoners left free to choose, the whole social fabric would fly asunder. You cannot have the argument both ways. If the prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?
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Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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