Cardinal rules Quote by Bill Walsh
“If any sort of error is inexcusable, it's an incorrect phone number. One of the cardinal rules of copy editing is that every phone number published must be checked.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: San Francisco 49ers Press Conference, 1995
Copy editors must verify every phone number because errors are inexcusable; meticulous fact‑checking prevents misinformation.
In simple terms: Always verify phone numbers to avoid errors.
Key Takeaway
Check phone numbers before publishing.
Themes
accuracy
journalism
editing
detail
trust
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
instructional
professional
When to use this quote
- news articles
- advertisements
- press releases
Key Concepts
copy editing
information integrity
media ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How to streamline verification?
- What tools can assist?
A Different Perspective
Time‑consuming for large volumes.
