Paper Apologizes For False Story

Telegraph Journal
Editor & Publisher Removed

It used to be that few people believed the sensational, made up stories that graced the front pages of the tabloids at supermarket checkouts. You know aliens in the White House, that sort of thing.

Well it would seem that previously considered 'news' papers aren't above publishing made up sensational stories either. A current example is the 'wafergate' story that was first published by the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal and then immediately picked up by the rest of the fifth estate.

Turns out that the story written by the two reporters covering the event, made no reference to the 'pocketed' wafer at all. That lie was apparently added in the 'editing' process and should never have seen the light of day.

The newspaper is not commenting further on the story, but it would be reasonable to presume that reporting only the truth is obviously not a standard held by the paper's editor or publisher.

Sadly, you have to wonder what standard is held by members of the fifth estate anymore, when you see the level of what passes for journalism these days. Most newspapers are more interested in selling advertising than in informing the public with accurate, unbiased reporting.