For the record
I appreciate the comments made by Lrjet55 and flexlrpilot357 about AIN, the truth and journalistic credibility, but I would be less than truthful if I said they don't hurt. Let me say this without reservation: it is the goal of all AIN writers and editors to maintain our credibility by publishing the truth--or as close to it as we can get--and we absolutely do NOT kowtow to our advertisers. If in the minds of our readers--i.e. you all--we are not achieving this goal, then it is my job as editor-in-chief to change things so that we do.
Please see my March 2002 Commentary "Keeping the peace between church and state" (page 2), also posted online at
www.ainonline.com (follow the Commentary link). One doesn't publish this kind of editorial philosophy unless one really means it.
Do we write only the truth? No, but we don't knowingly write falsehoods. We always try to report accurately what people tell us and what we find out for ourselves. As I'm sure you all know, people are not always honest or perceive a matter the same way. We always try to cover all sides of an issue, but even when given a chance to comment, many people will not.
Do we make mistakes? Yes, but when we become aware of our mistakes, we publish corrections.
Could we research more? Probably. But with deadlines looming and space considerations there's always a point where one has to stop the research and go with what one has in hand. That's not an excuse, just the reality of journalism. If a story requires more, we do an update in a later issue.
Do we use press releases? Yes, but they are only one source of information for us; we have many others. We never use a press release verbatim, print it without follow-up or, God forbid, trade editiorial space for advertising. We throw away many more releases than we ever use.
If you would care to discuss your views with me, I welcome a reply to this post, an e-mail (
[email protected]) or a phone call (201-444-5075). If changes need to be made in the way we produce our publications, then we will do it.
Randy Padfield
Editor-in-Chief, Aviation International News