And, they wonder why they are labeled "fake news".

https://www.thewrap.com/housto...gize-to-our-readers/

Houston Chronicle Retracts 8 Stories After Fraud Investigation: ‘We Apologize to Our Readers'

“This investigation points to an egregious breach of that trust that is an offense to readers and journalists alike,” says executive editor Nancy Barnes

Jon Levine | November 9, 2018 @ 6:54 AM
Last Updated: November 9, 2018 @ 7:01 AM


The Houston Chronicle announced Thursday that they had retracted eight stories after an internal investigation found they relied heavily on sources who seemingly did not exist.

“The relationship between a newspaper and its readers is one of trust,” said Chronicle executive editor Nancy Barnes in a piece explaining the decision. “This investigation points to an egregious breach of that trust that is an offense to readers and journalists alike. We apologize to our readers, and to the Houston community.”

“We will be correcting or retracting all of the affected stories in order to set the record straight to the best of our ability, as I promised when this was first brought to my attention,” she added.

In September, the Texas daily was rocked by scandal after questions were raised about the reporting of Austin bureau chief Mike Ward. A lengthy investigation was unable to identity a number of sources Ward quoted on the record for his stories. He ultimately resigned from the paper after being confronted by Barnes.

The Chronicle then began an extensive effort to investigate all of Ward’s reporting to identify if there were any other instances of phony sourcing during his career there. The paper brought in Pulitzer Prize winner David Wood to lead the effort. The results of his investigation led to the the paper’s decision to retract the stories.

“Of the 275 people quoted, 122, or 44 percent, could not be found. Those 122 people appeared in 72 stories,” said Wood. “It’s impossible to prove that these people do not exist, only that with extensive research and digging, the team could not find them. And in this age of online records, including property ownership and court filings, almost everyone can be found quickly.”

In addition to the eight retractions, Wood said the paper would also amend a number of stories which relied heavily on sources which could not be independently verified.

No need to retract. Just move them to the FICTION section.

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed."

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
“Of the 275 people quoted, 122, or 44 percent, could not be found. Those 122 people appeared in 72 stories,” said Wood. “It’s impossible to prove that these people do not exist, only that with extensive research and digging, the team could not find them. And in this age of online records, including property ownership and court filings, almost everyone can be found quickly.”

Check the democrat voter rolls

Wow! Color surprised that 56% wasn't made up as I expected the Chronicle to be much lower. A couple Sundays a month they litter my driveway with a free issue and it goes straight in the recycling bin.

quote:

“The relationship between a newspaper and its readers is one of trust,” said Chronicle executive editor Nancy Barnes

:ROFL: can I get my subscription money back? How about a class action lawsuit for fraud while were are it.

Anyone know what stories were about? Wonder if they were hit pieces on conservatives.

That happens when you use CNN for a source.

They probably put the apology on page 12, section F, right below the hemroid ad.

What were the articles about? Were they hit pieces on conservatives?

I believe The Wire (excellent HBO series, if anyone hasn't seen it) did an entire season over this exact thing.

Fake news makes the front page. Retractions are buried on page eight. In the corner. In small type.