As an editor, you develop a B.S. meter—an internal warning…
““As an editor, you develop a B.S. meter—an internal warning system that signals caution about journalism that doesn't feel trustworthy. Sometimes it's a quote or incident that's too perfect —a feeling I always had when reading stories by Stephen Glass in the New Republic. Sometimes it's too many errors of fact, the overuse of anonymous sources, or signs that a reporter hasn't dealt fairly with people or evidence. And sometimes it's a combination of flaws that produces a ring of falsity, the whiff of a bad egg. There's no journalist who sets off my bullshit alarm like Ron Suskind.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes an internal gauge for detecting untrustworthy journalism.
In simple terms: A personal sense for spotting false reporting.
Key Takeaway
Heed your editorial instincts.
Themes
journalism
trust
ethics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
media criticism
instructional
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- media literacy
- editorial standards
Key Concepts
bullshit alarm
fact‑checking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you train your own bullshit alarm?
- What signs indicate unreliable sources?
A Different Perspective
May be subjective; not all errors are obvious.