July 18th, 2012
Some media outlets seek “quote approval”
By Dana Neuts
In an article by Poynter Tuesday, Steve Myers reports that some media outlets are seeking quote approval before running stories, particularly those that involve presidential candidates. Fortunately, Myers learned, that the Associated Press is not among those media outlets.
Poynter Story: AP Doesn’t Let Sources Approve Quotes
John Brummett of Arkansas Online comments. I particularly like this part: “…serve the reader and voter, not the newsmaker.”
Arkansas Online: Goodbye, Journalism
How do you feel about this? Do you think getting quote approval is an acceptable practice, or do you think it grants too much editorial freedom to those being interviewed?
Dana E. Neuts is a full-time freelance writer and editor and is the publisher of iLoveKent.net and iLoveWashington.net. An avid SPJ volunteer, she is the regional director for SPJ’s region 10, serves on the membership committee, and is the chair for the freelance committee. She is also a candidate for the office of national SPJ Secretary/Treasurer. Followe her on Twitter (@SPJDana, @SPJFreelance, @VirtuallyYourz).
Tags: associated press, poynter, presidential candidates, quote approval
July 18th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
I have offered to read a quote back to a source over the phone, but only when they asked first for some type of review. Also, I would only do that with an everyday citizen. The sort who has never been interviewed before.
Public officials, folks of notoriety, do not get the same treatment as they are expected to be familiar with the press due to the nature of their professions.
So to answer your question, I do not think this is a good practice to start.
July 18th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Holly, thanks for your comment. I agree. As John Brummett says in his editorial, we are here to serve the reader and the voter, not the newsmaker or the newsmaker’s staff. We are here to tell the truth in all of its variations – the good, the bad and the ugly. ~ Dana
July 23rd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
My philosophy is they can read quotes or the whole story for publication after they buy the company I work for and appoint themselves editor and publisher. Until then, they have to wait for it to be posted online or hits the news racks. I will not surrender control of the story to a source.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:33 am
There’s still something called a free press, isn’t there?