MSM: Present the Process

This is addressed to all the Main Stream, fact based media:

It especially relates to the commentariat which bases its discussions on news stories.

Trump's war on truth has succeeded in removing credibility from your reporting. The average person in any country now thinks that your reporting is fake and just as valid as any other, contrary opinion on any topic, particularly topics concerning politics.

Needless to say, this is bad news.

And yet, the United States of America relies on your reporting to protect the Constitution and our Democracy.

BUT, you have not sold your reporting. Reporting which is not bought, or believed, has zero impact.

This space presents herewith a suggestion on a process to SELL your reporting so that more people will believe it.

The process will be tedious, humdrum and really BORING; but, IMHO, it is the ONLY way to succeed in re-establishing your credibility.

Here's how it might work:

As reporters, you are required to verify your stories before they can be published. In other words, you have to believe it first, and then you have to PROVE IT.

The writing process should be altered so that the information you rely on the PROVE your story is included in each story. Each source should be described as completely as possible while honoring the request to remain anonymous.

AND, the presentation, whether oral or written, might go something like this [remember you are selling, not pontificating]:

'Ladies and gentlemen, I have a story tonight that you will find hard to believe. I know I did when I first heard about it, but four independent witnesses have confirmed it. There is no doubt for me that it really happened.

I first heard this from a member of the White house staff who wished to keep his name out of the headlines, but I know this man personally and he is a straight shooter. Then I heard from another White House staffer, who also wants to keep the name out of the headlines; this source has been truthful with me many times since I first heard from him 3 years ago. Then, a close acquaintance at the NSA showed me a transcript of the meeting, which confirmed the story in every detail. Last, one of the President's golf partners also confirmed the story and added that the President seemed proud of it.

Of course we reached out to the President through his staff, but he has not offered any affirmation or denial so far.

The story is this: The President of the United States has called Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran a "Booger Brain"!

Unbelievable as it is, there is no doubt that it really happened.

We can only speculate on what it will mean to the ongoing nuclear treaty discussions. And, now this.....'

It may happen that some stories are lost as sources are afraid of being identified.

BUT, the WAR FOR TRUTH is so important that the loss of a few stories is a small price to pay for increasing the share of readers who believe the facts you present.

It is not hyperbolic to suggest that this is an important mission.