Hire people smarter than you are and encourage them to bloom.
Ben BradleeRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the importance of trust and teamwork in journalism.
In this quote, Ben Bradlee emphasizes the critical role that reporters Woodward and Bernstein played in uncovering the truth during the Watergate scandal. He reflects on the difficult decision of whether to remove them from the story, acknowledging that their investigative reporting was crucial and reliable, demonstrating the significance of collaboration and integrity within journalism.
Themes
JournalismTrustTeamworkTruthIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of investigative reporting.
More from Ben Bradlee
All quotes →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.
Ben BradleeRead
It changes your life, the pursuit of truth.
Ben BradleeRead
Sure, some journalists use anonymous sources just because they’re lazy, and I think editors ought to insist on more precise identification even if they remain anonymous.
Ben BradleeRead
Sometimes I am convinced there is nothing wrong with this country that couldn't be cured by the magical implantation of ethical standards on us all - leaders and followers. Until that becomes doable, the Center for Public Integrity is just about the best thing we have going for us.
Ben BradleeRead
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.
Ben BradleeRead
Similar quotes
I don't believe newspaper reporters can substitute for a district attorney, but a newspaper has a very valid investigative role. Newspaper reports on corruption in government, racketeering and organized crime conditions can be very helpful to your communities and the whole country.
Robert KennedyRead
We all have our likes and our dislikes. But... when we're doing news - when we're doing the front-page news, not the back page, not the op-ed pages, but when we're doing the daily news, covering politics - it is our duty to be sure that we do not permit our prejudices to show. That is simply basic journalism.
Walter CronkiteRead
I don't believe in these headline-hunting interviews. That's just not my style.
Walter CronkiteRead
The biggest problem I have in journalism is being quoted or misquoted and then being asked to defend something I haven't said.
Robert FiskRead
I violated, apparently, an unspoken rule that we are supposed to take care of our own. Frankly, if that invites discomfort, I welcome it. I don't think there's enough discomfort in journalism, especially in Washington.
Mark LeibovichRead
The greatest felony in the news business today is to be behind, or to miss a big story. So speed and quantity substitute for thoroughness and quality, for accuracy and context.
Carl BernsteinRead