News and Errors
Bhuwan KC
Do you believe that all the news in the print and broadcasting media are true? If you are invited to the discussion table on this issue, what arguments you put on? Will you say all the news are true or all are false or sometimes true or sometimes false, some are semi-true or some are with errors?
Lots of news are broadcasted or published in media on local, regional, national and international base. They may carry absolutely true, false or semi true information. However, sometimes the same news also may be true to someone and false to the other- if the recipients of that news are biased. If the news is in his favor, he will think that is true, if the news is not favoring him, he may blame the reporters or the media calling them biased.
The Freedom Forum had conducted discussion programs on fairness of media in different part of America in 1998/99. The main points that participants of the discussions expressed against the media were: Newspapers get too much too wrong often; they are not factually accurate often enough. Newspapers are unwilling to correct mistakes fully, candidly, prominently and promptly, and with grace (Haiman, 1-2: 2000).
Some scholars said that media tend to broadcast and publish more biased news on the debatable issues. News reporting by the media is largely biased, especially when dealing with political news or other social news of controversy. This is natural and stems from the individual reporter's value system (Dennis and Derrill, 75:1996).
Theoretically, a journalist must follow the basic principle of journalism; accuracy, objectivity and credibility. He must believe in truth and fairness. When news is based on accuracy and balance, media credibility and prestige get enhanced (Kharel, 67:2006). Readers, listeners and audiences also expect all these qualities in news. If they find any mistake, they will criticize. "The slightest excuse is sufficient (for reader) to bail out. People get very angry when they see mistakes, especially mistake that go uncorrected. It's a credibility issue. If people are thinking about getting rid of you, why serve up a big softball?" (Haiman, 11:2000).
‘True’ ‘False’ or ‘semi true’- any kinds of news depends on the source of information, the nature and policy of the media, leader of media, the skill of the journalist, their responsibility to the society and the condition of the target group. The reasons why the news is brought false and error are: weak source, incapability of the journalist to understand news, absence of responsibility towards society, lack of cross checking system, weak editorial policy and over sensitization of the news in the name of making it more figurative. Therefore it would be better to judge all the aspects rather than creating blind prejudice towards any journalists and media.
It is heard, ‘morning papers in comparison to evening papers carry truth’, ‘TV makes less mistakes and radio makes more.’ From theoretical aspect that is all useless. It depends on the intension of the news source and the media. It depends on their presentation. It depends on editorial policy. Any media may carry false news and may the truth be twisted, if the house or any system is biased. If not so, we can believe in any for credible news.
Sometimes the journalists may possess bad intention while writing news; that certainly contribute to the creation of false news. Such news turns to be dangerous and generates bitter comments. These are mere pre-planned and propaganda and done to damage the reputation of someone or something. Moreover, sometimes it is used as a tool to bargain.
Despite the good intention, the news may come false. Only the difference is the news with bad intention turns to be false while the news without bad intention may only possess very simple errors. The fairness guidelines of San Jose Mercury News caution that while "factual errors usually are unintentional, the framing of a story is intentional. Its result from an affirmative decision by a reporter or editor to cast a story in a particular way (Haiman, 60:2000)".
The errors may occur in news while there is inexperience of reporter, or if he is quite unknown to the topic. It does not mean that all the reporters should be the jack-of-all-trades neither it means a person turns to be Mr. Know All immediately after being a reporter. Well-established reporters also may face the same fate.
Generally, it is believed that the ‘beat reporting’ consists less mistakes. That too depends on source, the skill of the reporter and intention. Other causes are internal pressure, deadlines and insufficient time.
It is not always possible to categorize beats. Big media houses may divide beats; a single person does not have to run everywhere. Yet, it is necessary to be flexible enough to work in ‘off beats’ and sometimes one should report on new sectors. For example, a journalist of political beat may not have the enough knowledge of sports, health or art and literature or vice versa. If he is made to report on these beats, he may commit mistakes, though his intention is good.
Apparently, all the news that comes through media must be true. No doubt, it must be factual and impartial. Yet, is it possible in practical ground? The answer is ‘NO’. Not only the journalist but also the reader, audience and the source give in it.
On radio and television, due to the difference in pronunciation may the meaning differ and mistakes occur. Listeners and audiences also criticize considering errors in media. And, in a 1998 Media Studies Center national poll, 86 percent of respondents said they believed that stories "often” or "sometimes” contained factual errors (Ibid 9:2000).
It does not mean that all the news and its subject matters are false. But in most of the news we can find errors. Many reasons are there, but most of the time only the reporter is blamed. He/She is trying to known as inexperienced, biased and incapable.
To collect true information and prepare credible news is the responsibility of a reporter. He is expected not to commit mistakes." Factually accurate information: Copy is factually accurate when submitted for editing. Statistics, research, quotes and narrative are accurate and are arranged in such a way as to convey an accurate context. An accurate context involves representing all sides of the story fairly and completely (Ibid, 12:2000).
Well! The reporter is responsible to bring false news. His incapability, biasness, bad intention, negligence and lack of patient to revise the news are some of the reasons that bring false news. It needs to do correction. Skillful gate keeping is necessary to stop from sending the false and errors news to the readers, audience or the source. This year similar case happened in news published on www.sipalu.com. The website had published false news about publication of SLC result. For the crime the website was punished, too.
A website owner who had published false news regarding the publication of SLC result has been arrested. www.sipalu.com had spread false news about SLC result publication and its owner Gokul Thapa has been arrested (Kantipur Daily, June 18, 2006).
Examination Controller’s Office published the SLC result only after 3 weeks from the date Thapa published the news.
The number of the passed students in SLC examination has increased with 8% this year. Controller’s office published result of SLC examination on Wednesday night. The exam had been conducted in last March. The result shows 46.51% students passed the exam (Kantipur Daily, July 6, 2006).
To be biased, only on single source may lose the credibility of the news. The same was the case in news about Maoists which claimed the top level Maoist leaders were killed.
According to army or police force, The Royal Nepal Army has killed more than one hundred Maoist activists including the top level leaders in ‘Cordon and Search operation’ against Maoist in Rolpa. Army head quarter said to Rajdhani Daily that Maoist central committee leaders Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal), Krishna Bahadur Mahara (Amarsingh), Postbahadur Bogati (Diwakar), Shakti Basnet, Manbahadur Thapa and other more than hundred activists were killed in army attack at Nuwagaun and Gajul villages in Rolpa. The defense ministry has not proved the news yet and neither has it been proved independently (Rajdhani Daily, December 3, 2001).
The leaders who were claimed to have been killed were safe and alive. The Maoist top leaders are still (December 9, 2006) actively involved in party activities.
Sometime errors can occur because of not revision.
Even in Dashain vacation many complains have been filed in Ceasefire code of conduct monitoring Committee Altogether 41 cases have been registered from Fulpati till yesterday(Kantipur Television, October 4, 2006).
The data said in news was not found in scrolling. Scrolling reads-
31 cases have been registered in Ceasefire code of conduct monitoring committee during Dashain vacation (Kantipur Television, October 4, 2006).
‘41’ was printed Instead of ‘31’. The reporter did not revise the news and this mistake occurred.
Sometimes over confidence and dependency on presumption also leads the reporters to send the false news.
Immediately after being nominated minister on behalf of Leftist front he was more criticized. He was blamed to have appointed the personal assistant of the home minister Dan Bahadur Shahi as his personal personal secretary. As a protest the aggressive cadres gheraoed the minister Chaudhari at his residence at Koteshwor and locked him off in his residence (Chhalphal Weekly, October 5, 2006).
At the time when the news was published in Chhalphal the Land Reform and Management Minister, the president of Leftist Front, Prabhu Narayan Chaudhari was staying at Minister’s quarter at Pulchowk.
His own cadres locked off the land reform minister Prabhu Narayan Chaudhari for 8 hours. He was locked off when he was taking part in a meeting of Communist Party Nepal (CPN) United Marxist. He could not function effectively according to Party policy, was the blame against him. The cadres had also locked off the central committee members of CPN United Marxist with the Chaudhari (Kantipur Television, October 24, 2006).
Mistakes can occur in news in being over excited, in trying to be pundit or even trying to be first and in having too much gullibility. Let’s see news which was broadcasted in Nepal One television-
Five Points compromise between Maoists and Government about the letter to United Nations (Nepal One Television, August 3, 2006).
This news was broadcasted when the discussion between Maoists and the Government was going on inside Peace Secretariat at Simhadurbar. The news for Nepal One was highly exclusive and equally false too because the debate of arms management has not been resolved till then. Nepal One broadcasted this news at 4 pm. The discussion came at end only at 8 pm.
Even a twelve hour long effort proved a failure to meet a compromise between the Maoists and the Government regarding arms management. After the meeting home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula informed, a compromise was made on other different topics but the modality of the arms management could not be fixed (Kantipur Television, August 3, 2006).
Only after a week a compromise was made between the Maoists and the government about the letter to be sent to United Nations.
After the compromise about armies and arms management, the coordinators duo handed the five-point compromise letter to the UN representatives in a press conference at Peace Secretariat, Simhadurbar (Kantipur Television, August 10, 2006).
Rajdhani Daily published the news forecasting about Ian Martian, Personal Representative of United Nation General Secretary Kofi Anna, arriving in Kathmandu-
The UN monitoring team is arriving this week; Ian Martin is arriving Kathmandu, today, (Rajdhani Daily, December 4, 2006).
Same newspapers published the news about arrival of Ian Martin after three days-
Ian Martin, Personal representative to UN general secretary Kofi Annan, has said that the international community is serious to help on going peace process of Nepal. Martin, who went New York ten days ago to brief UN General Secretary and the Security Council about Nepal's peace process, told the reporter while returning from New York, on Wednesday. (Rajdhani Daily, December 7, 2006).
Sometimes even the source may communicate false ideas. In these cases also the journalist does not commit mistakes. But all the news is proved wrong. Let’s see the blame by Prachanda and the comments afterwards-
The Royal Secretariat via a notice has clarified that the crown prince Paras has no involvement in purchasing weapons. The notice says the objective of his Australia tour is just to hand over a couple of rhinos as a gift. The news of weapons purchasing is only a rumour, it is biased, and it has no evidence. Maoist president Prachand had said in a programme that the prince had made a compromise about purchasing of weapons while he was in Australia tour (Kantipur Daily, September 4, 2006).
After the publication of the news president Prachanda never tried to justify to his former claim.
The dependency on guess, prediction or saying is another cause of false news. Kantipur national daily-published news that Nepali army brought weapon on truck from India, on the first page. At the same day, Kantipur published another news instead of arm news on later edition. Some journalists went army barrack of Gajuri, Dhading District, with Maoist leaders and wrote news on the basic of Maoist information.
The tension rose in capital and districts ended only after the government clarified that no weapons have been brought from India. Though the tension came to an end, the Maoist has blamed the clarification as melodramatic and completely artificial. …India has informed that no weapons have been sent to Nepal. Spoke person of Indian Foreign Ministry Navatej Sarna in a press release has claimed the news to have been false and a rumor only (Kantipur Daily, September 13, 2006).
As per the information put forward by the government to the meeting of the House of Representatives the army trucks had been used to carry the goods that are needed for the armies to be sent to Lebanon-
Ceasefire code of conduct monitoring committee inspected the trucks and informed that though the trucks were new, no weapons were found (Kantipur Daily, September 13, 2006).
Similarly, the credibility of the news comes under question if the news is a prediction about the future. Such happened in the case of Maoist- Government Peace Talk and Delhi tour of the President Prachanda.
Prachanda, president CPN (Maoist), with Dr Baburam Bhattarai will go to Delhi on Thursday to participate in ‘Leadership Summit’ organized by Hindustan Times. The source says they will leave to Delhi this afternoon. (Kantipur Daily, November 16, 2006).
Kantipur on the same day had published news about Maoist-Government Peace Talk, too-
The government and the Maoist will come to the Peace Accord to declare the formal ending of Eleven-year long conflict. The prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala on behalf of Seven Party and President Prachanda from CPN (Maoist) will sign the on agreement paper this afternoon and the compromise will come in effect immediately. (Kantipur Daily, November 16, 2006).
Neither of the things happened on the day. President Prachanda left to Delhi on the following day and only after a week the agreement was made possible.
The government and the CPN (Maoist) came to a historical peace accord on Tuesday with a formal declaration to end the eleven-year long conflict prevailed in the nation (Kantipur Daily, November 22, 2006)
And about president Prachand, such was the news published in Delhi dateline-
CPN (Maoist) president Prachanda and another leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai arrived Delhi on Friday evening. They are here to take part in Hindustan Leadership Summit (Kantipur Daily, November 18, 2006).
Government and Maoist team may finalize and endorse the draft of interim constitution, which is under the process of discussion between Government and Maoist dialogue team, till Friday (Annapurna post, December 8, 2063).
Dialogue teams have no authority to endorse the draft of interim constitution. Only parliament can approve the constitution. The constitution couldn't finalize in next day mentioning as in news. Let's see the news published in next day on the same issue.
The talk between Nepal Government and CPN (Maoist) team couldn't reach any agreement on Friday also about interim constitution. The discussion will be held on Saturday as well (Annapurna Post, December 9, 2006).
There are other reasons too which make the news false. It is almost impossible to attend all the functions like seminars and formal programmes. Moreover, it is not sure that all the news by direct participation comes true. Sometimes the reporter does not understand the meaning or the context and brings false information. And, sometimes it is tried to make the news more colorful and the news turns to be false.
The context is, Lokmansingh Karki was Chief Secretary. In a programme he had to release a stamp by stitching the photograph of his father Bhupalmansingh Karki. About the fact the newspapers published the news like this-
Surprise to every senior, the ‘made’ Chief Secretary of the government Lokmansingh Karki had made a decision when he was Information secretary. Ultimately the decision has been a ladder for his late father to get eternal peace. A very disgusting like work even to his late father, his good effort would be supported by his brothers- the source claims. When he was information secretary he had made a decision to honour his late father Bhupalmanmsingh Karki by publishing a stamp with a photo on it. Tomorrow, on 22 September 2005, the photo of Bhupalmansingh will be stitched and post office will publish the stamp. It is said that Bhupalmansingh in heaven will be happy to see his third son’s honor towards him. (Jana Aastha Weekly, September 21, 2005).
The journalist can not attend all the activities. He does not get the opportunity to attend, too. Especially he can not attend the informal meetings, and other programmes which are geographically distant. In such cases no other alternative remains except using the source; either primary or secondary. Gullibility and dependency on weak source is another reason of false news.
In 7 o’clock news broadcast, this was the news about Government- Maoist Dialogue team –
During the whole day both the Dialogue Team tried to analyze the similar and the different views put forward yesterday. Now the peace talk is going on between them. The source says both of the teams will present the progress report of the day to the Prime Minister this evening (Kantipur Television, October 11, 2006).
The same news at 8 o’clock was presented as-
As the source claims though the discussion between the teams went on, they could not reach the decision. The representatives presented the progress report of the day to the Prime Minister Girijaprasad Koirala (Kantipur Television, October 11, 2006).
On the day, the government team talked to the Maoist team, but they did not meet the Prime Minister Koirala together. In fact, the home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula only had met the Prime Minister. Because of the weak source the mistake occurred.
If the source itself does mistakes in understanding, there remains no hope credible news. Sometimes the source turns to be biased with bad intention. Such intention even brings the people in confusion.
Communist Party Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML), which was advocating in favour of demolish the monarchy through referendum has recently changed its view and now situation seems to be in favour of Constitution Assembly to demolish monarchy (Kantipur Daily, October 9, 2006).
Next day Kantipur Daily itself wrote CPN-UML is still in favour of referendum to demolish monarchy.
CPN -UML repeated that it is in favour of referendum to demolish monarchy. In a meeting of UML central committee held in Balkhu it is said that now people is the sovereign and the monarchy should be demolished through referendum (Kantipur Daily, October 10, 2006).
It is said that cross checking is a must. Is it possible to cross-check all the information received from the sources? Cross checking is not possible in all the situations. If it is not possible, there remains two alternatives to the journalist i.e. either to publish the news or not to publish. If it is not published other papers will publish it and own paper remains backward, or if it is not sent on that day and was thought to send tomorrow it may be out dated till then. Such problem compels the journalists to take the risk of publishing immature news.
To reduce the effects of this kind of problem during the Iraq War British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had brought a new editorial policy: Among the changes is an explicit commitment that "accuracy is more important than speed" and to constantly review any decision to use secret recordings in undercover investigations (www.ejc.nl, June 23, 2005).
News writing is not like book writing. We may spend a longer time to write a book and we can make corrections. Hasty writing is another cause for mistakes. While preparing news in haste Prime Minister Ser Bahadur Deuba can be written instead of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, by mistake. Etched impression about something in journalist’s mind also may cause to commit mistakes.
Sometimes, journalists may write ‘Suryabahadur Thapa, president of 'Rastriya Prajatantra Party’ though they know the fact; he is president of Rastriya Janasakti Pary. The deep rooted impression can not be removed easily and they write the news with over confidence. The deep rooted impressions and over confidence are other factors that cause the mistakes in news.
The weaknesses of the reporters should be checked in the process of editing. That’s why there should be well capable persons on the desk. If the person on the desk is incapable, if he has not deep knowledge of the subject matter, the mistakes of the reporter can not be checked.
News published in Nepal Weekly says-
Almost 20 years ago when B.P. Koirala came back from India, he brought with him the policy of mutual harmony. Then, with the objectives of fellowship and unity a ‘tea party’ had been organized (Nepal Weekly, page 31, October 15, 2006).
The person who has no idea about B.P Koirala and his policy of mutual harmony may assume the above news true. But anyone who is quite aware of the history can not satisfy with his mind. If we calculate on the basis of the above news B.P Koirala started the tea party in 1986/1987. But actually he had died in 1982. Can we believe on that news? The fact is he came back from India in 1976).
Government and Maoist today signed on Army and weapons monitoring accord on the presence of UN representative (Gorkhapatra Daily, November 29, 2006).
Actually, there was not agreement among Government, Maoist and United nation representative. UN representative signed on agreement being witnessed. But, the Gorkhapatra published news-
The tri-party agreement was held among Government, Maoist and UN representative about weapons and army management of Nepal Army and CPN (Maoist), today (Gorkhapartra Daily, December 9, 2006).
Nepal Television broadcasted news with errors.
Citizenship report was ready providing based on date of birth by State Affair Committee, today. (Nepal Television, November 23, 2006).
Gorkhapatra reporter wrote the same issue like this-
Political parties also have become agree on citizenship bill. According to agreement, State Affair Committee today passed the bill unanimously (Gorkhapatra Daily, November 24, 2006).
The citizenship bill was passed by State affair Committee but Nepal Television broadcasted this news in headline mentioning that the report was prepared. They mentioned report instead of bill because of misunderstanding.
Other media also may be the source for the media persons. But the information received from other media also may be false, it needs to be re-examined.
It has been announced curfew from April 9 onward in all the territories of Kathmandu Metropolitan, Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan, Bhaktapur Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and ward no 1, 2, 3,4,5,6 and 17 of Kirtipur Municipality. In the given areas no one will be allowed to walk outside, to attend meetings and gathering or demonstrations etc. from 7 AM to 8 PM (Gorkhapatra Daily, April 10, 2006).
On the basis of Gorkhapatra, Kantipur Television broadcasted news. But the curfew started only from 11 AM. The chief district officers of these three districts announced curfew from 11 AM. Gorkhapatra gave false information. To be based on Gorkhapatra, the credibility of Kantipur Television came under question.
Similarly mistakes can occur while giving information without making an intense study of the subject.
Nepal Government did not allow entrance permit for the plane which was carrying weapons from Ukrane. Now it has been landed at Ilahabad Airport, India. Last year the then Royal Government had sighed on a contract paper to purchase weapons. And Embassy of Ukrane, New Delhi has been asking permit for last two weeks. Nepal Government had given no decision. Deputy Ambassador to India Tara Pokharel said to Kantipur they had no prior information and came to hear that a plane carrying weapons has been halted at Ilahabad Airport. It has not been given permit to fly to Nepal (Kantipur Daily,September 1, 2006) .
About the issue, Members of parliament had asked the clarification to the Government and Home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula had replied-
At the time of former government there had been a contract to purchase weapons with Israel and this government did not permit its supply. The Ukanian Plane, loaded with the weapons had requested to fly in Nepal but it had been canceled- the Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula informed to the parliament on Monday. The Government clarified it for CPN (Maoist)’s suspicion regarding the news (Kantipur Daily, September 4, 2006).
There will be another meaning, if the level of understanding differs between reporter and news source. If source says in one thing and reporter perceives another thing, problems may come. If there are pressure to journalist from advertisers and owners at that time fact can be twisted. Similarly, lack of command on language may bring problem in news. Likewise, broadcasting immature information in haste, before any formal decision, mistake can be happened. This was the news published in Papla dateline-
Maoist fourth division camp will be kept in Chulachuli Danda- 2, Humin VDC. According to agreement to keep the camp in this area, Maoist has started to gather People's armies who were out of district (Kantipur Daily, November 12, 2006) .
Government and Maoist had peace agreement in 21 November 2006. They agreed to keep Maoist camps in Ilam, Sindhuli, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rolpa, Kailali and Surkhet. Maoist had purposed to keep camp in Palpa, too. Government, Maoist and UN monitoring team had only observed this location.
The lack of the clarity in the information given by the source is another cause of false news. Let's see the news broadcasted in Television-
Maoist central committee member Barshaman Pun alias Ananta told that there will be agreement on peace accord, with the completion of Interim constitution, on 21 November (Kantipur Television, November 16, 2006) .
The same news on 8 o'clock broadcast was presented like this-
Through a joint press release, the coordinators duo of dialogue teams Krishnabahadur Sitaula and Krishnabahadur Mahara said that there will be peace accord agreement within 5th Mangsir, since the homework was under process (Kantipur Television, November 16, 2006).
The agreement was to sign the accord within 21th November, not on the 21th November. And in the news Krishna Bahadur Sitaula had been written mistakenly instead of Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
Over trust upon the reporters may lead the editors to publishing false news. Editing is to make the news technically good, to eliminate the factual errors and to bring the news under the fundamental ethics of journalism. Still the errors may occur. The sense of the news may come different. Once a reporter of KTV had brought this news about the king's property-
Only the Gokarna National Park is under the name of king Birendra. If the nation is going to nationalize the king's property, the property should be changed to trust after 7th june (2002) . Prior to this, it is needed be clear about how much property the king Birendra and his family possess (Kantipur Television, November 13, 2006) .
And, after editing the news was-
Before nationalizing it is necessary to set apart the royal property from king's private property. And then it will be easier to distinguish the king's private property and change it in a trust (Kantipur Television, November 13, 2006).
Sometimes differ may occur between news and headlined. Nepalnews.com kept headline as- Ten injured in clash between Dalit and ‘upper caste’ communities in Bajura and news wrote like this-A violent clash between ‘upper caste’ and Dalit communities in the far-western district of Achham left at least nine people, mostly Dalits, wounded Saturday evening(www.nepalnews.com, October 1, 2006) .
The mistakes may occur in the process of lay out, too. The same happened in Nepal Weekly. This is the news about the declaration of House of Representatives and its execution-
Not to see any preparation for implementation, I doubt, is there any fault in our will power? - Dharmanath Shah, the State minister for General Administration said. (Nepal Weekly, July 5, 2006)
But the news highlight in the middle was-
Not to see any preparation for implementation, I doubt, is there any fault in our will power? - said Hridayas Tripathi. (Nepal Weekly, page 31, July 5, 2006)
There are many reasons why the mistakes occur in news writing. The mistakes are mostly realized by the news source, the related person and journalist. The common mass hardly recognizes the mistakes. Media sometime publishes or broadcast inaccurate information, yet often the public is never notified of the inaccuracy (Folkerts and Lacy, 361:2005).
The mistakes occurred in the media can be corrected. But it is rather difficult in electronic media to print media. Newspapers are usually better than magazines, television, and radio. However readers rarely know where to look for correction because notification is not standard practice (Ibid, 361:2005).
In print media, too the place for mistakes and errors needs to be fixed; neither may it bring the readers in confusion. Many newspapers have been publishing news where they like.
Some journalists think that the approval of the mistakes may bring negative impact amongst the readers. That is quite wrong. While approving the mistakes neither the media house nor the reporter loses anything. Rather, though a bit late, the readers gets true information. And, the media do their best to give right information and to win the heart of readers.
We inform that in the news published in the front page of Sunday issue, with the title '90 Percent Mobile Sets without Customs', mistakenly something other has been printed instead of 'Lakh'. (Kantipur Daily, November 6, 2006).
The previous day, the news published in Kantipur was-
In all over the nation, though the number of the mobile users is almost 90 lakh, only one lakh 15 thousand sets have been imported through costom. (Kantipur Daily, November 5, 2006).
Not only that, the place also is mentioned to make it clear. Sometimes the voices of the concerned people are also published in case of the mistakes done by the reporter.
The negligence of B and B hospital killed Krishna Bhakta Bista of Bagdol Lalitpur. - His family claims. (Nepal Samacharpatra, November 6, 2006).
One week after the date, in against the blames, a letter was published. The letter reads-
The cause of the Bista is the severe injury, not the negligence of hospital (Nepal Samacharpatra, November 14, 2006).
Once happened mistakes can be apologized. The code of conducts of the journalism also permits to do so. Let's see the code of conduct issued by Press Council Nepal and Federation of Nepalese Journalists' 2060-Upon information of any error or mistake in publication and broadcast, to rectify such error of mistake as soon as possible, and to give proper place for a refusal of denial or response, accompanied by evidence, and publish-broadcast the same in clear language (Adhikari, 54:2006).
It's always good to make the corrections. But regarding the comments of the concerned people, we should be very skeptical, they, all the time, may not be true. They may have sent comments to conceal their weaknesses.
The action and reaction about published news is quite natural. A healthy discussion about is a must. Media houses accept it. Sending letters to the editor mentioning disagreements is not new one. Besides, the system of discussion between reporter and the concerned people also is in practice at present.
If the mistakes are done repeatedly that is negligence. If the process of 'publishing news today and apologizing tomorrow' increases continuously, neither the reporter nor the media house can maintain its credibility. Even it may create conflict between the reporter and the people, and it may create misunderstanding.There is misunderstanding between the public and the journalists about the role and responsibilities of free and fair press. (Haiman, 6:2000).
If the news is false and it violates the general norms of journalism, the concerned person can file complain in Press Council. It gives an opportunity to correct the mistakes.
A complains had been filed in Press Council against news published in Gorkhapatra (March 17, 2005) entitled 'Bomb Blast: Total Damage of 500 billion'. Press Council decides-
Regarding complain, against the news published in Gorkhapatra, entitled 'Bomb Blast: Total Damage of 500 billion , the executive president of the concerned house has given his words that the house would be aware not to repeat such mistakes in futures. Since no point was found to be discontented in his remarks, council sees no use of further action about the matter (Press Council Report, 34-35, 2005).
Regarding the complain, filed by RajnarayanYadab, Bharat Kumar Pradhan and Mohan Kumar Upadhaya against the Hindu Weekly, code of conduct monitoring unit of Press council asked the news paper to publish the concern party's objection in the paper with due placement . The Hindu Weekly, 24th August, 2001 edition, had published a news under the Headline 'let' us recognize wolves of Education sector' where it had depicted the trios as the bad persons of education sectors. Claiming the news as fictitious aimed with character assassination, they had filed a joint complain against the weekly. In response to the request of press council, the weekly published the letter of objection (Press Council Report, 7: 2002).
Besides, there is the system of Press Ombudsman. It watches the ethical mistakes too.
An ombudsman-an independent voice that reflects public concerns and expertise in journalism - is the most effective way to show accountability. Smaller steps include publishing complaints about the newspaper or rotating a reader representative position among the staff so that reader comments reach the newsroom (www.asne.org, November 20, 2006).
All the aspects need to be sincere and responsible to remove and reduce mistakes. Especially, the media house and the publisher have to be sincere enough. Besides, other reporters, technician, resource persons too needs to be sincere. The Preamble to the Tribune's "Accuracy Guidelines" makes clear how serious the paper is about trying to make the paper as accurate is humanly possible: "A newspaper's reputation rest on its accuracy. That means everyone who provides content for the paper not only by reporting and writing stories, but transforming statistic to tables, creating graphics, editing copy, writing headlines, collecting caption material, or researching facts must take responsibility for the accuracy of that work. If you gathered the item or keyboarded the item or edited or manipulated the item in a layout, you are also responsible for maintaining its accuracy through the process." (Haiman, 10-11:2000)
Additional speculation and individually or institutionally bias full news should not be published or broadcasted. The publisher, workers and the sources all three aspects need to be committed in giving true information. Still, the problem is not solved. The prejudice is not uprooted. All the mistakes are not eliminated. After nearly two years of listening to the public talk about fairness and unfairness in the news media and examine press performance based on public concerns; The Freedom Forum did not come up with any single answer or simple formula to remedy the problem. (Ibid, 6:2000)
In this way, the frequency of the mistakes can be reduced to a great extent. The chief of the news section Editor/Chief Editor/ News chief have major responsibility of all the problems. And thus, they need to be committed not to commit mistakes. And, they can lead their colleagues or the staffs to the right direction. Howard Tyner, editor of Tribune, adopted tribune system finding errors and minimize to them. According to this system, for every mistake, a form is filled out answering such question as: Who made this error? How did it occur? How did it come to our attention? Were deadlines a factor? How could it have been avoided? The form displays the error as it appeared, a corrected version, and a correction or proposed for publication. Tyner system showed that at least one -half to two thirds of all errors in the newspaper were preventable; most occurred through reporting or writing mistakes or were introduced during the editing process. (Ibid, 9:2000).
To note the true information is a journalist's duty. Additional speculation confusing information should be avoided. The doubts need to be checked. If it remains still confusing, better to give it up. It is necessary to keep in mind that, not only the names, places, and numbers but also the views and the decisions can be mistaken. Similarly the information received from the source needs to be reexamined. It is necessary to revise the news before finalizing it. It certainly helps to improve and reduce the mistakes. The editing has the great importance to present the news attractively. Editors can beautify the reporter's matter. But do they always make it better? No, while making it more figurative and attractive, they even may make 'false information ' out of the true one, sometimes.
The mistakes should not be made in news. If it happens to be, it should be corrected or apologized. The mistakes are realized in two ways: If the self discovery, and through the comments forwarded by others. Most of the houses do not take the comments positively. Either the editor or the publisher thinks that to accept comments is their weakness. In such situation the publisher blames the editor and the editor blames the reporters. It's necessary to a confiscate such attitudes.
While mentioning anonymous sources, there will be many mistakes. So, USA Today has been trying to minimize harm in news mentioning all sources of news. Karen Jurgensen, editor of USA today, said," Our first goal and expectation is going get all sources on the record." The USA Editor allowed to publish news quoted anonymous sources on the following conditions:
· The story was of great significance and absolutely unavailable in any other ways.
· Another reputable news organization had already published it and it was in general circulation. In the case, it would be published with attribution to news organization that had originally published it.
· If one of USA Today's most veteran and respected reporters developed the story and it came from a highly trusted source with a history of honesty and reliability.
Associated press (AP) has own standards to maintain accuracy and credibility in news. It is said that the AP's rules on anonymous sources are among the most direct and rigorous of any publication or news agency and are worth consideration by all journalists interested in raising standards. They say, "We prefer not to use information provided under conditions of anonymity. Use of (such) material threatens our credibility with the reader."
Making an apology for the happened mistakes is always good, but not to commit the mistakes is far better. The reporters, the editors and all the concerned should take the responsibility of the mistakes. The skill enhancement is another necessity. Reporters, copy editors and assigning editors, particularly, should be encouraged to develop knowledge in field such as economic, science, the social sciences and law. These topics are in the news everyday, and the ability to report with authority on the complex stories that involve them becomes more and more critical. (Ibid, 25:2000)
The negligence and the deliberate mistakes is not excused, rather it loses the peoples faith too. The property of the media is its readers or the audiences. The media always needs to win their heart and have to establish a good relationship. But in reality it is difficult to fullfil the desire of people. A 1998 survey for ASNE of 3,000 Americans found a discontent between the public and its newspapers: 78 percent believe journalists pay more attention to what their editors want than what their readers want (www.asne.org, November 20, 2006).
The more the readers or the audiences are educated the more they look with critical eyes to the media. In the developed countries, where the people are more educated, the readers or the audiences possess the power to differentiate the wrong and right. They immediately oppose the false news or the news with biased or bad intention. People reject or even boycott such media houses. But this is not the situation in Nepal (Press Council Report, 7: 2005).
The media which makes mistakes repeatedly can deceive the readers or the audiences for a few days. They even may influence for sometimes. But it can not deceive forever; it can not win the faith of the readers or audiences. It can not survive, too. Therefore, not only one, in any cost, all the journalists must be sincere while broadcasting and publishing truth and factual news.
Mistakes can't be totally avoided but they can be minimized using standard journalistic practices like cross-verification and revision. But journalism is called literature in hurry and many media tend to forget that they have the responsibility of disseminating true information to the mass audience and that their false information can be harmful.
References
Adhikari, NirmalaMani. Studying Mass Media Ethics, Parshanti Pustak Bhandar, 2006.
Dennis, Everette E and Merrill, John C. Media Debates issues in Mass Communication, Longman Publishers USA, 1996.
Haiman, Robert J. Best Practices for Newspaper Journalists, 2000.
Kharel, P. A Study of Journalism, Nepal Association of Media Educators (NAME), 2006.
30th Annuals Report, Press Council Nepal, 2005.
27th Annuals Report, Press council Nepal, 2002.
Weekly Papers
Chhalfal Weekly, October 15, 2006.
Janaastha Weekly, July 19, 2005.
Nepal Weekly, July 5, 2006.
Nepal Weekly, October 15, 2006.
Daily Newspapers
Annapurna post, December 8, 2006.
Annapurna Post, December 9, 2006.
Gorkhapatra Daily, December 9, 2006.
Gorkhapatra Daily, November 24, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, June 18, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, July 5, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, August 21, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, September 1, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, September 4, 2006.
Kantipur Daily, September 13, 2006.
Rajdhani Daily, December 1, 2001
Rajdhani Daily, December 4, 2006.
Rajdhani Daily, December 7, 2006.
Televisions
Kantipur Television, August 3, 2006.
Kantipur Television, October 4, 2006.
Kantipur Television, October 15, 2006.
Kantipur Television, October 11, 2006.
Kantipur Television, November 13, 2006.
Kantipur Television, November 16, 2006.
Nepal Television, November 23, 2006.
Nepal One Television, August 3, 2006.
Web Sites:
www.asne.org, November 20, 2006.
www.ejc.nl, June 23, 2005.
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