First, do no harm.
As editors, we must consider that our motto. Our reporters trust us to make their stories better. Find the holes. Tighten the structure.
I am assured that is the personal goal of each of us as editors.
But sometimes, in our rush to move to the next thing, to whittle away at the pile, we change a sentence from fact to fiction. We add something out of context. We delete vital information.
When we do, we hurt our credibility with readers.
We want them to see a story that reflects in depth reporting and thorough newsgathering. Unfortunately, they can’t get past the apostrophe that changes the meaning of the word we used. Or the extra word, or the fact that a word is missing. Or that a source is never identified by a full name and title.
We also damage our credibility with reporters.
Worse, we let them down.
Let’s take the time to help our reporters be the best they can be. To do that, take the time with every story to be the best editors we can be.