Striving for truth in the news in Carr’s way

Published 9:50 am Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

All of the stories about journalists in the national news this week have forced me to pause and think about what kind of journalist I am and where I am headed in the future.

On one hand, there was NBC “Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams who was suspended after making false claims about an experience he had during the Iraq War, and on the other hand there was New York Times media champion David Carr, who has been called “the finest media reporter of his generation.”

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Williams was in the news after he reportedly said on the air that he was in a helicopter hit by a grenade in 2003, but in reality he was simply in a group of helicopters and another helicopter was hit. He said the story at least twice — one other time on David Letterman’s talk show.

Why he said that I just don’t understand, but it was disappointing nonetheless to see a popular news anchor, who has been a long-standing part of that news program, do something like this.

Have there been any other stories that he has reported on that have been exaggerated?

Carr was in the news after he unexpectedly died in the newsroom of The New York Times on Thursday. He had just finished moderating a panel discussion about “Citizenfour,” a documentary that chronicles Edward Snowden’s leak of National Security Agency documents.

The medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Carr concluded the journalist died from complications of lung cancer. Heart disease was also a contributing factor.

Carr had risen above drug addiction to become one of the most respected in his field. Sure he may not have had the cleanest past, but it is commendable to see how far he had come.

And perhaps what was even more commendable was the impact he was making as a teacher on future journalists.

His students described him as someone who not only cared about them academically but as people as well.

How do we get respected in this field of work?

When I think of journalists I respect in the newspaper industry, I think of people who ask hard questions, who are unwavering in their search for truth but at the same time people who are human and who can relate to people.

A good journalist stands their ground on First Amendment rights but also shows compassion for those who may be affected by what we write.

As people, we will make mistakes, but we must be accountable and transparent in our actions.

But probably most important is a good journalist is someone who can be trusted.

Thanks, David Carr, for leading the world of journalism.

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. She can be reached at 379-3433 or sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com.