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How common is "he said, she said" journalism?

9/16/11
by IJNet

Journalism stories that report heated accusations without verifying the contents of the two sides are being criticized as "he said, she said" reporting.

Both the New York Times and NPR have been recently criticized for reporting on hot-button issues (politics, abortion) by reprinting what both sides say without verifying the contents.

This "he said, she said" reporting is a disservice to readers. As Jay Rosen, who coined the term back in 2009 points out, "No real attempt is made to assess clashing truth claims in the story, even though they are in some sense the reason for the story. (Under the “conflict makes news” test.)"

How common is it? Is it objectivity taken to extremes or lazy/fearful reporting?

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Submitted by Anonymous on 9/22/11.

what other kind of journalism is there? I agree that it is surprising that the New York Times does it, but at its simplest, that's journalism. He said this, she said that. It's of course better - and advisable - if there's context but that doesn't always happen..

old problem

Submitted by Anonymous on 9/16/11.

Pretty much since time immemorial journalists have been reporting what is said instead of checking it out. I am a little surprised that they're doing it at the NYT, but not so much, given the topic...

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