What's good for the goose

By Geoff Dougherty | Oct 03, 4:46 PM

Some critics are calling for CNN to reassess its work with citizen journalists because one of them created an apparently erroneous report that Apple chief Steve Jobs had suffered a major heart attack.

Of course, nobody argued that Bloomberg News should conduct a head-to-toe reassessment of its newsgathering four weeks ago, when the service reported Jobs HAD ACTUALLY DIED.

I think it's great to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of traditional and new approaches to reporting. But it's important to apply some balance.

Lately, the discussion about citizen journalism seems to focus on individual miscues. And the critics never note that even the best newspapers can barf all over themselves in spectacular fashion. 

At the Daily News, we work with nearly 70 citizen journalists, and a handful of professional beat reporters. Correction rates are about the same for each.

Tagged: media, citizen journalism