Periodically, readers call The Ironton Tribune’s newsroom – and other newspaper’s newsrooms around the country – and leave tips about some alleged wrongdoing in their city.

Thursday, June 08, 2000

Periodically, readers call The Ironton Tribune’s newsroom – and other newspaper’s newsrooms around the country – and leave tips about some alleged wrongdoing in their city.

The idea is to get "the newspaper to do a story."

In The Tribune’s case, these anonymous calls come about once or twice a week.

And, while some of the information is compelling and some of the theories interesting, most of these accusations can do nothing more than languish. What is the reason that these juicy tidbits linger? The answer is simple: Fairness.

To write a story for a newspaper, reporters must have more than simply an idea that there is a story to pursue. They must be able to follow hunches with independent confirmation and documentation.

Without both, the story is nothing more than fodder for the gossip columns and the libel courts.

So, while we welcome your comments, ideas, suggestions and news tips, please give us more than just what you think has happened. Give us somewhere to look, too.

It is part of a newspaper’s job to look into wrongdoing, whether it be in city government or your local school board. That is the reason the press was created in the first place – to get information to the people and to keep an eye on their leaders.

But, freedom of the press does not include rampant disregard for fairness, balance or the principles by which good journalism is judged.

To do any less would be to do our community – and our profession – a great disservice.