Dave Winer ☕️Aug 12, 2024

A new rule for journalists.

End the interview on the first egregious lie.

Turn the lights out, switch off the recorder, get up and leave.

And your report should state clearly that this is why the interview was terminated.

It never should have been tolerated in the first place.

Show threadRyan Egesdahl Aug 12, 2024
@davew @mastodonmigration Or just don’t interview a known habitual liar in the first place. The only reason I can see for doing that is the sensationalist promotion of misinformation. It doesn’t matter if the person in question is a political candidate, presidential or otherwise. Promoting any candidate’s lies along with their disgusting ideology isn’t required of private companies by the First Amendment.
Show threadNini
@deriamis @davew @mastodonmigration Sure but isn't the point of the journalist to counter the lies and to report the truth of a situation? The habitual liar will lie unrelentingly as is their nature but letting them go unquestioned seems like an abdication of responsibility. It's less effective promotion when you're getting countered on your position and made to face your lies. Anything else is a fluff piece.
Aug 13, 2024 at 8:08amWeb
Show threadRyan Egesdahl Aug 13, 2024
@nini @davew @mastodonmigration I didn’t say the lies shouldn’t be countered with the truth. That can be done without ever repeating the lie in the first place. The only effect repeating the lie has is to increase its reach and expose even more uninformed people to it. Also, allowing the liar tell the lie gives them a platform and control over the narrative. That’s especially bad when the liar already has a significant following or is charismatic. Journalists should remember some ground rules:
Show threadRyan Egesdahl Aug 13, 2024
@nini @davew @mastodonmigration First, it’s much harder to counter a lie with the truth than to invent the lie in the first place. That’s why techniques like the Gish Gallop work so well. Second, live “debates” provide no value over simply correcting the lies with facts. Last, directly confronting a liar in that way will be recast by them and their supporters as an attack, rendering the attempt ineffective and potentially counterproductive.