Word.
I read the news today oh boy! Page 333
Quote: Nogget @ March 4 2011, 6:02 AM GMTI'd go further & suggest that using the term 'sources' is often a way of printing stuff that the reporter has simply made up.
I worked for a newspaper for many years and I've known dozens of reporters and you're way off base. Just because someone can't/won't allow his name to be printed doesn't mean he doesn't exist.
All the other news stories I've read have used the term 'witnesses' when describing the Frankfurt murderer's screams but the last BBC story still hadn't mentioned it. At least they had the spine to admit that it just might be a case of Islamic extremism.
Quote: DaButt @ March 4 2011, 1:32 PM GMTI worked for a newspaper for many years and I've known dozens of reporters and you're way off base. Just because someone can't/won't allow his name to be printed doesn't mean he doesn't exist.
They certainly do that in the tackier types of British tabloid. But I dare say that's not the type you worked on. 
Quote: zooo @ March 4 2011, 1:35 PM GMTThey certainly do that in the tackier types of British tabloid. But I dare say that's not the type you worked on.
'Elvis spotted in Birmingham pub' is one thing but hard news is another. Any reporter who falsifies information will eventually be caught and run out of the business. Media outlets can and do spin their stories but lies are few and far between.
Not just the silly Elvis stuff. They seem to outright lie about things constantly. (Admittedly mainly celeb crap.)
I don't really know how they get away with it.
I had an article written about me in The Daily Mirror. Within it, they used quotes supposedly said by me, which I'd never said. So I know from personal experience that big newspapers will simply make up stuff that they print.
So why didn't you sue them? Big lawsuits are what keeps these things from recurring.
Someone shared a link about that recently, didn't they? That was very interesting.
That is extreeemely coincidental!
The libel laws in this country are an utter scandal
if you're not rich you face ruination or humiliation if you are libeled or some one decides you've libelled them
the rich can do what the hell they like
It was when Ben Goldacre was almost bankrupt that I woke upto it
nb a shocking number of the rich and amoral prefer to sue people through our courts
BBC reporter goes skinny dipping.
It wasn't a woman. 
How was your escort fella?
Quote: bigfella @ March 6 2011, 8:14 PM GMTIt wasn't a woman.
Ah. When did you realise?
I watched it twice. Just to be sure.