The perils of breaking news coverage

Skills

When covering breaking news events, journalists may publish information that turns out to be incorrect. Present students with the article below about the Uvalde shooting and the timeline of inconsistencies in the police narrative. Facilitate a discussion with students using the following questions:

Is it necessary for journalists to report all the details police release in an unfolding case? Why or why not?
How could a crime beat reporter discern what information should be shared and what should be held back for future verification?
What types of questions could journalists ask sources before writing to avoid exposing their readers to inaccurate information?
What types of language or disclaimers can journalists use to let readers know that information in an unfolding case is still speculative or unverified?