Star Herald reporterscouldn’t get away with making up newsJayson Blair did for journalism what the Rodney King beatings did for the Los Angeles Police Department. One bad example can ruin a lot of reputations.Blair is the reporter for the New York Times who was recently fired for making up stories, quotes and entire itineraries for the job.Sometimes it’s too bad we don’t need a license to write. Journalism is the type of profession that’s a learned craft, unique to whomever practices it. The corner of the world the Rock County Star Herald covers can take comfort in the fact that we couldn’t get away with the same things that Blair did.We couldn’t make up sources. Reporters qualify their information by naming a source. It wouldn’t take long for people to realize a fictitious name in our paper.Falsified quotes would be difficult to pass off on readers. Sometimes our sources will claim they were misquoted because they wish they hadn’t said what they did. But to my face, no one has ever accused me of putting words in their mouth. And our readers know our sources, so we couldn’t have them saying something totally out of character. We couldn’t list travel itineraries and not prove we left the office. With a fairly thin paper, it would be difficult to miss what supposedly went on at an assignment.Beyond being dishonest, I think we are far less manipulative than some would like to think. I can count on one hand the number of letters to the editor that have been withheld in the past four years, for example.I like to remember that I get more thank-you notes than hate mail.People may disagree with our opinions or think we missed an angle, but in this paper, you won’t find us lying. We have too many opportunities to share real stories to spend time making them up.Hats off to gradsI’d like to be one of those people who gets invited to speak at a graduation ceremony, giving sound advice to young people about to leave home. I’ll need at least 30 years to prepare for the speech because now the only advice I can think of is that cheap champagne and Reeses peanut butter cups don’t mix well. Maybe if I really try I can think of a few more tidbits of useful information.oDon’t do drugs or become an avid drinker. Young adults will probably always drink before they’re 21, but keep in mind that drinking and drugs never got anyone far.oIf you go to college, it’s great to be energized by professors, but don’t ride an intellectual high-horse just because you learn a little about the Hopi Indians. Take it easy on those of us who don’t listen to inspirational lectures every day.oFor safety reasons, tell someone where you’re going and when you’re expected back. It’s a common courtesy that your roommates, co-workers or family will appreciate.oFor the college-bound or not, stay away from credit cards.oIf you’re on a meal plan at a university, don’t blame the lunch ladies for your 20-pound weight gain. It’s really from the study-time snacks and post-exam beers you consume long after the dining hall is closed.
