Sources, credibility and verification Law and Ethics

Introduction On a piece of paper, answer these questions: Why is a primary source important to a story? Why is it important to have the correct information in a story? How do we know if the information is correct?

If you answered the following, you are correct: Correct information (the person who knows the most about the subject) Credibility Verify, verify, verify

Today’s goal We will explore sources, credibility and verification by using the “Other Than Honorable” series. We’ll look at who the writer talked to and how he verified the information to make sure the information is credible. We’ll also see how the writer identified when a person he contacted refused to talk.

Creating a key Create a color key by writing the following at the top of the story: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Creating a key Now, highlight Step 1 with one color, Step 2 with a second color and Step 3 with a third color. You will refer to this key as you go through the following activity.

Step 1 Use the Step 1 color as indicated in the key at the top of the page to highlight all people sources in the first story segment titled "Disposable." Also place a star to the left where the writer indicated someone refused to comment for the story.

Step 2 Now, use the Step 2 color as indicated in the key at the top of the page to highlight all document sources.

Step 3 Use the Step 3 color as indicated in the key at the top of the page to highlight information verified by a source.

Assessment A student said she heard an administrator talking about firing a teacher because he embezzled funds from a club account. Answer the following: Who would you talk to? How would you verify the information? If someone refused comment, should you include wording they declined comment?

Quiz answers Sources: Administrators, police, students involved in clubs Verification: Arrest record (if happened), administrator and teacher involved Declined comment: Yes, you should include this.