False Indictments in News Media
When journalists report incorrect information, what are the consequences and impact of such false indictments?
Pick two major false indictments by traditional news outlets (one print and one broadcaster) and answer the following questions:
1) who was hurt by the false indictment, and how;
2) how did the news outlet (and other news outlets) respond to the false indictment once the inaccuracies became known;
3) in what ways, if at all, did the false indictment impact readers’ trust in news; and
4) what recourses, if any, are, and are not available to the person who was falsely indicted – and are there other recourses that should be available?
Your essay should make a clear argument (in the form of a strong thesis) about the broader impact of your chosen topic on the future of journalism.
Your essay should be more than a summary of the problem; we want you to explain/discuss how and why your proposed solution might mitigate these negative effects.
Be sure to provide ample evidence and examples to back up your argument.
