Columnist admits journalism sin

In a column, Steve Cameron/Coeur d’Alene Press admits he erred in reporting on a Legislative District 4 townhall meeting:

Earlier this week, I committed a journalistic sin.

Perhaps the average reader didn’t notice or even care, but it’s important so I need to explain.

When I’m writing an opinion column — like this one, with my picture right there and everything — it’s basically OK to sound off on anything that crosses my mind, as long as I don’t libel anyone with statements that I know are false.

But when anyone on our staff writes a news story, like basic coverage of an event, an announcement, a trial or whatever, our job is to stick with facts.

It’s fine to ask eyewitnesses what they saw, or economics experts about the job market — then quote any of these folks in a story if we feel their statements will help our readers put the news into proper context.

What we CANNOT do is let our personal feelings bleed over into what should be a straight news piece.

I screwed up, pretty much because the subject seemed meaningful, I was rushing to meet a deadline, and thus my own opinions seeped into parts of a news story. More here.