Here's an interesting item, moved by the Associated Press. I have asked AP whether its copy editors check names and organizations cited in its stories, which should be routine. I haven't heard back yet. AP's compilation of spokesmen made up by its rogue reporter is useful, but it doesn't take away from the responsibility of newspapers that run AP copy. It has to be checked, just like a local story. All of us here know that it also has to be edited, which it is far too seldom ("Why waste time? It's already edited before we get it!") How many of these stories did you handle?<p>The Associated Press is transmitting for corrective use a list of stories by a former reporter that contain quotations from experts whose existence cannot be verified. <p>The reporter, Christopher Newton, was dismissed Sept. 16 after the AP received inquiries about a Sept. 8 story about crime statistics. AP transmitted a story correcting that piece. <p>Before his dismissal, Newton was asked about questionable material in a number of his stories. He maintained that the experts in those stories were real and accurately quoted, but was unwilling or unable to provide proof of their authenticity. Newton had worked for AP since 1994 in Texas, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. <p>Following a review of hundreds of his stories, AP is providing a list of 39, in addition to the Sept. 8 piece, which contained quotations from individuals who cannot be located. Most were identified by Newton as having academic or public policy credentials. <p>Following a review of hundreds of his stories, AP is providing a list of 39, in addition to the Sept. 8 piece, which contained quotations from individuals who cannot be located. Most were identified by Newton as having academic or public policy credentials.<p>Below are the stories and the names of people quoted in them who cannot be located by AP. The stories carried Washington datelines unless otherwise indicated.<p>- AM-Campaign Finance, a0773 of Jan. 13, 2000, from Harrisburg, Pa., quoted "Jeffrey Roberts."<p>- PM-Competing Teachers, a0405 of March 28, 2000 from Harrisburg, Pa., and AM-Competing Teachers, a0666 of March 27, quoted "Angelica Victor" of the "Education Alliance." AP was also unable to locate the organization.<p>- BC-Women Superintendents, a0407 of Oct. 26, 2000 and a0625 and subsequent writethrus of Oct. 25, from Harrisburg, Pa., quoted "Jocelyn Winters."<p>- BC-United Artists-Settlement, a0898 of Jan. 17, 2001, quoted "Robert Janson" of "Voice for the Disabled." AP was also unable to locate the group.<p>- BC-Submarine Children, a0418 of March 2, 2001, quoted "Joanne Fu" of "Across Cultures." AP was also unable to locate the organization.<p>- BC-411 Frustration, a0645 of March 14, 2001 and a0429 of March 15, quoted "John Martin" and "Morgan Isley."<p>- BC-Media-Crime Coverage, a0754 of April 9, 2001, and a0746 of April 10, quoted "Michael Hamilton."<p>- BC-US-China Apology, a0411 of April 11, 2001, and a0679 of April 10, quoted "Edward Briar" of "the Military Research and Study Group." AP was also unable to locate the group.<p>- BC-Bankruptcy-New Rules, a0421 of April 17, 2001, quoted "Hal Cassidy" and "Jim McLarnen, a spokesman for Fair Credit." AP was also unable to locate such an organization.<p>- BC-Stem Cell Lawsuit, a0763 of May 29, 2001, quoted "researcher Tim Dale of the Malen Clinic in New York." AP was also unable to locate the clinic.<p>- BC-INS-Expedited Visas, a0777 and subsequent writethrus of May 31, 2001, quoted "Arthur Gonzalez" and "Jennifer Talles, a spokeswoman for the Western Association for Immigration Rights." AP was also unable to locate the association.<p>- BC-Hunting Stealths, a0662 and subsequent writethrus of June 20, 2001 and a0415 of June 21, quoted "Hugh Brownstone, a physicist at the Intergon Research Center." AP was also unable to locate the center.<p>- BC-Prisons-Mental Health, a0481 of July 15, 2001, quoted "Roger Paine."<p>- BC-Cheney-Energy, a0699 of Aug. 3, 2001 and writethrus, quoted "George Brownstein."<p>- BC-Meat Safety, a0682 of Aug. 7, 2001, quoted "Mark Lenton, a spokesman for Pure Food, Clean Water." AP was also unable to locate such an organization.<p>- BC-Bush-Heartland Tour, a0423 of Aug. 20, 2001, from Crawford, Texas, quoted "Patrick Delraj," as did BC-Bush-Heartland Trip, a0424 and subsequent writethrus of Aug. 20 from Crawford and Milwaukee.<p>- BC-Attacks-Web Sites, a0978 of Oct. 11, 2001, quoted "Landry Bolville."<p>- BC-Lemur Mystery, a0416 of Oct. 18, 2001, quoted "Jake Parsons."<p>- BC-Attacks-Trying Bin Laden, a0433 of Oct. 18, 2001, quoted "Victor St. John," "Dean Leonard," and "Aljid Darah."<p>- BC-Generation's First War, a0431 of Oct. 20, 2001, quoted "Alan Douglas."<p>- BC-Charting the Dreamscape, a0452 and subsequent writethrus of Nov. 1, 2001, quoted "Linda Sveena" and "Russ Carter, psychiatrist at Leonard Institute." AP also was unable to locate the institute.<p>- BC-Criminal and Guns, a0475 of Nov. 4, 2001, and a0416 of Nov. 5, quoted "Paul Stevens" and "Jeffrey Wendell."<p>- BC-Attacks-Special Forces, a0411 of Nov. 5, 2001, quoted "James Thomas."<p>- BC-Attacks-Trying Terrorists, a0540 of Dec. 1, 2001, quoted "Mason Digby."<p>- BC-Bush-China-Trade, a0431 of Dec. 28, 2001, quoted "Richard Daisly."<p>- BC-Attack-Human Rights, a0475 and subsequent writethrus, of Jan. 16, 2002, quoted "Ralph Tagern" of "The Institute on Middle Eastern Policy." AP also was unable to locate the institute.<p>- BC-Afghan-Risky Business, a0618 of Jan. 18, 2002 and a0408 of Jan. 19, quoted "Jennifer Williams."<p>- BC-Afghan-Dead Enders, a0757 of March 7, 2002, and a0434 of March 8, quoted "Dennis Tyler."<p>- BC-Attacks-Enemy Within, a0411 of June 11, 2002, and a0427 of June 12, quoted "Jennifer Wayton."<p>- BC-Catching Liars, a0652 and subsequent writethrus of June 21, 2002 and a0407 of June 22, quoted "Justin Hammerstein," "Dale Jenang," and "Thomas Jakes, president of People for Civil Rights." AP was also unable to locate the organization.<p>- BC-Attacks-Citizenship, a0716 of July 16, 2002 and a0438 of July 17, quoted "Irma Gonzales."<p>- BC-Tracking Foreigners, a0742 of July 22, 2002 and a0456 of July 23, quoted "Edward Murrell."<p>- BC-Attacks-FBI Intelligence, a0823 of July 24, 2002 and a0440 of July 25, quoted "Donald Terrel."<p>- BC-Attacks-Al-Qaida, a0691 and subsequent writethrus, of July 26, 2002, and a0436 of July 27, quoted "Janice Paine."<p>- BC-Attacks-Guantanamo Lawsuit, a0842 of Aug. 1, 2002, quoted "Justin Willard."<p>- BC-Registering Aliens, a0733 of Aug. 12, 2002, quoted "Carl Baron."<p>- BC-Attacks-Investigation, a0675 of Aug. 23, 2002, quoted "Lynne Hallard" of "Civil Liberties Focus." The AP also was unable to locate the organization.<p>- BC-Attacks-Short Memory, a0632 of Aug. 26, 2002, quoted "Francis Neil."<p>- BC-Attacks-Intelligence, a0708 of Aug. 30, 2002, quoted "Vanessa Thompson."<p>[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: blanp ]</p>
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