Mantra from Manti Te’o story: Trust but verify

This post was written, initially, for my advanced editing class blog. There are a lot of lessons to be learned, especially as you start your internships. The reference to the skeptical editing process? Check out Think Like an Editor, Strategy 18: Skeptical Editing: Ask Key Questions Graph by Graph
~ prof emilie

That’s the advice from The New York Times on the hoax-related story involving Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o: Trust but verify.

In her column, public editor Margaret Sullivan shares reactions from the Times sports editor, Joe Sexton:

I could never imagine in editing such a story, with the references existing as they did, asking the reporters: Do you know for a fact his grandmother is dead? Do you know for a fact his girlfriend is dead? Do you know for a fact his grandmother existed? Do you know for a fact his girlfriend ever existed? And any editor who tells you they would have or should have asked those questions is kidding you.

There are many layers to this story, and it’s a good one to follow closely. All of you already know a lot about skeptical editing and the formal process it entails. Start thinking about the kinds of questions you would ask about this story – even now that the hoax has been revealed as having been played on the player.

prof emilie