There's not a human alive that isnt complacent in many ways.
replyYou're being way too easy on a journalist.
replyAnd too easy on the editor who was supposed to personally verify that the article was properly sourced prior to publication. This is like basic stuff that you learn working on a high school newspaper.
replylol true
replyThe words on the page are just a medium to sell ads. If shit gets ad views then producing shit is part of the job... unless you're the one stepping up to cut the checks.
replyArs also sells ad-free subscriptions.
replyThis is a first degree expectation of most businesses.
replyWhat the OP pointed out is a fact of life.
We do many things to ensure that humans don’t get “routine fatigue”- like pointing at each item before a train leaves the station to ensure you don’t eyes glaze over during your safety check list.
This isn’t an excuse for the behavior. Its more about what the problem is and what a corresponding fix should address.
I agree. The role of an editor is in part to do this train pointing.
replyI think it slips because the consequences of sloppy journalism aren’t immediately felt. But as we’re witnessing in the U.S., a long decay of journalistic integrity contributes to tremendous harm.
It used to be that to be a “journalist” was a sacred responsibility. A member of the Fourth Estate, who must endeavour to maintain the confidence of the people.