Principal Solomon put the smack down at TWT High today re: accuracy and fairness. From the looks of the memo obtained by FishbowlDC, the rowdy kids in the newsroom were in need of a little disciplinary action.

Strike 1) To the chalkboard! "I will report accurately and fairly. I will report accurately and fairly. I will report accurately and fairly..."

Strike 2) Principal's Office

Strike 3) In-school Suspension

From: John Solomon To: twtnews Sent: Mon, 18 May 2009 10:31:00 -0400 Subject: Accuracy and Fairness

Folks:

Accuracy, precision, fairness and balance are our essential
coins of credibility in the marketplace. As we expand our product line and our workload, we cannot allow these pillars of journalism to be compromised by shortcuts, sloppiness or deadlines. To ensure we all live up to the promise, I am instituting the following reforms effective immediately:

1) Any reporter or editor who makes an error in a story that requires a published correction must submit a letter to the Executive Editor and Managing Editor explaining the mistake and what corrective actions were taken. These letters will be placed in your permanent personnel file.

2) Any reporters or editors who submit stories or content without fair comment or adequate balance will have their stories bounced from the lineup until they are corrected.

3) All reporters who have had stories with published corrections in the last year and any editors who inserted errors into copy will be required to take a mandatory class on accuracy and precision to be held the first week of June and led by Carleton Bryant.

John

The best part is the retro-action. If you thought your unfair or inaccurate reporting was saved by the bell, think again.

So what would Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris do in this situation?