Failure Quote by Bill Moyers
“Journalists who make mistakes get sued for libel; historians who make mistakes get to publish a revised edition.”
About This Quote
Source Television Interview, 1995
Journalists face legal consequences for errors, while historians can correct mistakes through new editions.
In simple terms: Mistakes have different repercussions.
Understand the stakes of factual accuracy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- academic publishing
- legal compliance
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How should journalists balance speed and verification?
- What safeguards protect historical integrity?
Legal risks may deter investigative reporting.