I consider the & #39;just reporting what a politician says& #39; culture of journalism to be the single most irresponsible thing we do as the press ... and the source of so many problems in our world.

If I ran a newspaper, I would not allow any story to be & #39;just reported& #39;.

Instead, I would demand that each story had to go through tree checks.

1: Is what is being said true?
2: How does it compare to the whole? ...including other stories covered about the same topic.
3: What effect will it have on the public to report this?

For instance, if something that a politician said isn& #39;t true. The DO NOT REPORT IT. You are helping them spread a lie.

If a politician is trying to make something bigger than it is, ignore them and focus on the things that are actually worth talking about.

And most of all, if a politician is saying something we know will cause an increase in hate speech and hate crimes, then & #39;just reporting what they said& #39; means we become an accomplice in committing that offense.

Be responsible for the effect of your coverage.