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

I'm not a newspaper reporter, but I am a radio reporter. Here's what you need to think about: if you call the editor and tell him or her what happened, he or she WILL likely take the story down because of inaccuracy, BUT then they'll want to interview you (and maybe your boss) again because then the story becomes about why you lied... is there something to cover up? they'll likely be pretty nasty to you since you lied to them, and they'll dig even harder because they know they can't trust you.

Answer 2

An interesting and frustrating ethical and moral dilemma, my friend.

As newsgal has aptly noted, your confession may prompt a new story about why you lied and what is being concealed, if anything.

That said, there is also some reason to question the journalistic enterprise of the reporter himself -why didn't HE do some fact-checking? Possibly because you and your boss were a sole source, and possibly because any inaccuracy carried no implication of danger for someone else, the public, etc., if anyone were to act on the bad info.

But still, you have your own values at stake here, and the additional complications of what the boss thinks -is your job at risk if you "blow the whistle?"

Finally, what is the nature of the newspaper corporately? Sadly, many mid-size papers are owned by just a few publishers, and the emphasis has shifted from responsible news reporting to issuing advertising with some blank space for poorly researched and evenly more poorly written news. The local paper where I live (Charlottesville, VA ) is SO bad that TWO independent rags published on a weekly basis and distributed free are very successful competitors. I'm not trying to float off-topic here, just warning you that your paper may not really care whether what they wrote was true or not -as long as it doesn't put them in the position of writing injurious material.

Another respondent suggested doing nothing -letting it pass. And indeed, the news cycle being what it is, the story itself may sort of disappear by the time you actually do anything.

If you trust the reporter (and that could well be thin ice) my first move would be to chat, one-on-one, in person with him and see what his "take" is. Prior to that, you need to come to grips with the nature of the bad data itself. Is it really important? Will lives, money, health, property, etc. be at risk if people act on it? Or otherwise, will you or your boss be damaged (not just embarrassed) by the truth coming out at some point? Is it the act of lying that will do the damage -or the lies themselves (as "facts") that will do it -or both?

If you have a deep personal investment in all this as a question of your values, then the order of battle is to first consult with the boss (who I gather is "former") and THEN deal with the reporter/editor.

I HOPE you will repost to let us know how all this comes out.

Answer 3

Unfortunatley, theres nothing you can do now since there is such a thing called freedom of speech. If its an article that was in print, oh well. The only way anything like that can be retracted (along with an apology) is in the event of impending litigation or if untruths were published. You may wish to contact the editor, but your desire to remove it may stir up even more interest. Remember this too, the media has a team of legal consultants to verify an articles content. So, my advice to you is forget about it rather than call even more attention to it. Next time, dont be so free to start blabbing outloud and know who youre talking to.

Answer 4

A previous answer is correct about how vicious it can be when you are forced to "flip-flop". Check it out with Oswald's wife.

However, there is something to be said for honesty and integrity. You may face negative consequences for your actions, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do the right thing. I would approach the editor and tell him or her what you shared with us.

I respect anyone who has the courage to face these situations with integrity. You should not have lied in the first place, but you do have an opportunity to do the right thing now.

May the force be with you.

Answer 5

Call the editor and offer a written apology.

Answer 6

I would keep quiet and hope it passes unnoticed. You could be libel if you admit you lied.