“Experts Say … “

In this age of “McNugget” news and information brevity, we hear it all the time in broadcast newscasts:

“Sources say … ”

“Experts say … ”

Listening to WTOP Radio (pretty good news-talk station) this morning here in the nation’s capital, nearly every report is peppered with those phrases. I don’t wish to pick on WTOP because many if not most broadcast news organizations use this form of sloppy, shorthand delivery of news – except NPR – but it’s something for listeners to be wary of.

Who are the “experts” and “sources?” Special interest groups, lobbyists, political operatives? Has the story been checked out, vetted? Perhaps so, perhaps not. But in this time of fierce political manipulation, it’s an issue.

One line on WTOP this morning was, “Sources tell The Washington Post … ” That’s like the old child’s game of sitting in a circle and whispering in the ear of the person on the right or left. Whatever authenticity is lost in myth or interpretation.

Category: Featured, News Media