Three words the media can’t say

“I don’t know.”

Those are the three most hated words in America’s newsrooms, and a quick scan of the search results on Google News under the subject “Ted Stevens” shows why that, perhaps, should change. Someday. (Click for more readable, larger image)

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The rush to quote someone — anyone — with the fate of the former Alaska senator reached its most embarrassing point when a TV station in Alaska reported Stevens dead, based on a second-hand — or possibly third- or fourth-hand — report. It wasn’t until a newspaper double-checked that the “source” said he didn’t know Stevens’ fate for certain.

“Get it first” is still more important in many news organizations than “get it right.”

Is Stevens dead? I don’t know. We’ll find out eventually. And we can wait.

Update 1:39 p.m. – A spokesman for the Stevens family says the former senator died in the crash.

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