Bloomberg sets new news standard

In the wake of the Jayson Blair scandal at the New York Times, many of the world’s best media brands have put themselves through the ringer. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal now go out of their way to ensure that whenever they cover someone else’s exclusive story, they refer to the annal that originally broke the news: as in “as first reported by XYZ media”.

In the evolving world of media and blogs, The Associated Press is trying to legislate how its content gets utilized by anyone who isn’t a subscriber (such as a member newspaper) to the AP wire.

At Bloomberg, I see that their editors have put in place a new policy regarding how journalists advise readers about individuals who haven’t responded to interview requests. At certain local tribunes, for example, a journalist might call someone to respond for a story…and if they don’t get them on the phone, the story will merely say “Joe Schmoe couldn’t be reached for comment.” Or “Joe Schmoe was not immediately available for comment.”

What we never know is this? Did you give Mr. Schmoe more than 5 minutes to get back before filing the story? Did you call him at home at 2 p.m. on a work day? Did you call him at the office at 6:30 p.m. at night, even though he had probably left for the day? Did you send a perfunctory email request for a comment, not knowing if the request wound up in the spam filter or not?

Bloomberg appears to be breaking new ground on the transparency front, and deserves a pat on the back for it. Rather than say that “Mr. Schmoe couldn’t be reached for comment”, they are laying it all out there for us to see, as is apparent from this line in a recent story:

Black’s chief appellate counsel, Miguel Estrada, didn’t immediately reply to e-mail seeking comment after regular business hours yesterday.

As someone who is used to getting ambushed by the DTM’s City Hall Bureau at 5:30 p.m. on Toronto Port Authority stuff, when they actually call at all (see prior series “‘Public Service’ — easier said than done part 5” June 4-09), one can only hope that other media outlets will adopt this full, true and plain disclosure policy.

It would be healthy for all. Hats off to Bloomberg editors!

MRM