Trusting the media

[Amal]

Re: Trusting the media

@CM

Do you trust all of the Pakistani media? Also about stories that make no sense? The ones that have no authentic sources? No sources that can be collaborated and more importantly stories that are created based on sources nobody has ever heard off?

I speak regarding 90% of the news carried in the Pakistani media these days. That I could write sitting in Afghanistan citing special secret sources and people who wish to remain annoyomous?

The revelation of source depends on several factors. sometimes reporter doesn’t want to reveal his source and sometimes the source himself doesn’t want to come out in public as, either he isn’t authorised to speak to the media, or he is giving out some information which is regarded as classified. In any case, there is a SOP about revelation of source in media and even Editor, who is all-in-all in the newsroom, cannot ask his reporter about his source. All a reporter is asked is “are you sure about it?”. A yes means that reporter could defend the content of his story if it is challenged in a court of law.

About desk stories, yes, they do exist. Some people just file a story which originates from their desk and has no authenticity whatsoever. But just like any other field and segment of our society where people and professionals of all kinds exist, media is no exception.