ARE YOU A NEWSPAPER REPORTER / WRITER? HELP!! How do I get them to recall a story?

Question

OK-here's the situation....

I worked for an environmental organization last year, and a reporter interviewed me and my boss, then wrote a story he did about us which was in the newspaper and online ..
Problem is---my boss lied to the reporter!!!.. and he told me to lie too!!!..

So now the Article is on-line on the newspapers's website--and I feel guilty because the reporter might get in trouble if any fact-checks his story...
I WANT THE REPORTER TO TAKE THE STORY DOWN FROM THE WEBSITE BECAUSE MY NAME IS IN THE STORY TOO AND I"M SOOO EMBARRASSED!! ---
Should I call the Newspaper's editor??? Will the Editor take it off line!!

Answer 1

The fact that your boss lied and told you to lie is a story itself. Calling an editor or the reporter who was originally assigned the story is the proper avenue to make changes to something that was printed.

If you do this, though, know what you're getting yourself into. They will probably not remove the story entirely. At best, they'll attach a correction to the online version -- they'll probably not re-run something in the print edition since it's such an old story. However, I'd expect them to do a full follow-up story.

They'll rehash the original story, and they'll want to talk to you and your boss about why you lied. You'll have to answer to the paper, to the public, and probably to your boss, potentially putting your job at risk.

Your only other option is to contact an editor and see if he'll agree to let you speak anonymously. Most papers are uncomfortable with using anonymous sources and try to avoid it, so this is sort of a dicey option. Not to mention the fact that your boss will probably figure it's you if you're one of only a few sources in the story.

Bottom line? Know what you're getting yourself into and balance the risks versus the rewards of coming forward.

Answer 2

R U prepared to tell the whole truth to the newspaper? ie that you lied, in addition to your former boss? it depends on how big a deal these lies are, but the paper might not just quietly take down the old story, but publish a new story explaining the lapse in accuracy. Have you discussed this with the former boss--perhaps if you confront him, he will come clean; otherwise it will be your word against his. How big is the lie--is it about 50 million gallons of toxic waste dumped into the city water supply? or is it about someone forgetting to separate recyclables one week?
It looks like u are looking for a quiet resolution but the corrrection might generate more attention than the original piece. I think u should tell the editor or reporter, but understand that this episode might not end quietly.

Answer 3

If an employer tells U to Lie that's wrong unless you are working on the darkside! No employer has any legal right to tell U to lie. If the employer told U to lie, he/she may have been trying to get U to quit. As for me I'd rather quit a job than lie to someone to keep a job! Only fools lie! One of the 10 Commandments is Thou Shalt Not Lie ( this is either the 8th or 9th commandment!) U should feel guilty for lieing.. well consider this your employer may be feeling worse for telling U to lie. Tell the Editor to take it off or you'll quit! A Job where U have to lie isn't worth keeping! I'm a writer and was Editor for The Rondaevou Paper in New Liskerd Ontario!
The Rondaevou Group will know ( spelled Rondaevou the way I think it should be spelled not the way it's normally spelled). who I be if they read this!

Answer 4

Most news organizations have fact-checkers who keep track of the publically verifiable facts. If you lied about something that is common knowledge, it will be caught and corrected...maybe even by the reporter him/herself if she/he has done his/her work.

If, however, what you lied about is not common knowledge, then THAT will become the story.

Newspapers will only kill stores that are unintentionally inaccurate or intentionally libelous.

Answer 5

well, it sounds like you already know what to do. they might even write another story about how it was false information.

depending on how serious the false information is, you could be in trouble...you'll have to prove how your boss coerced you into lieing.

Answer 6

None at all.
Since it was a ghostly stories in planet of apes.
Just "Let it be"
Since ghostly stories sell better than good news in planet of apes.
With time will understand why ghostly stories is the best sellers in planet of apes.
Luke 9.60