Fairness in news reporting

      During my time as a BBC Television evening host, it was my privilege to introduce to viewers a good-looking, well-spoken, Canadian-American journalist and writer named Robert MacNeil (called “Robin” for short).

      A few years later we both landed up in public radio and television in the United States where Robin became famous as co-host of the nightly television transmission of the MacNeil-Lehrer Report.

      We got to know each other quite well when I reviewed two of Robin’s books—a memoir about his broadcasting career, and a World War I love story titled Burden of Desire.

      Meanwhile, Jim Lehrer was also tapping away at his typewriter, producing 20 novels, and several plays and memoirs, and winning nationwide respect for his clear sense of purpose and integrity—even as the news media changed around him. 

      His collaboration with MacNeil became known as the “MacNeil-Lehrer style of journalism,” and together they laid the foundation for modern public media reporting (fake news and all).

      Lehrer never compromised on this approach, not even after MacNeil’s retirement in 1995, at which stage Jim carried on alone (Photo: PBS NewsHour).

      Both anchors were blessed with modesty and deep respect for each other, and when Lehrer died this past January, MacNeil spoke with poignant enthusiasm about his former partner, pointing out that Jim’s intelligence was laser-like.

      He had a very direct manner of interviewing, not being afraid to say he didn’t understand or didn’t know. MacNeil emphasized Jim’s extraordinary ability to listen, and his firm grasp of the fundamental meaning of fairness.

      But, for me, Lehrer’s richest and most lasting contribution to journalism were the tenets that governed his work philosophy, and also, in many ways, his life. And I share them here because I believe they so meaningfully provide a guide to social intercourse and to everyday living for all of us:

*Cover, write, and present every story with the care you would want if the story were about you.

*Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.

*Assume the viewer is as smart and caring and good a person as you are.

*Assume the same about all the people on whom you report. 

*Assume personal lives are a private matter until a legitimate turn in the story absolutely mandates otherwise.

*Carefully separate opinion and analysis from straight news stories, and clearly label everything.

*Remember that you are not in the entertainment business.

*Do not use anonymous sources or blind quotes except on rare and monumental occasions.

*Do not attack another anonymously.

*Do nothing you cannot defend.

      I believe we have never needed Jim’s (and Robin’s) wisdom more than in these turbulent times!