There are protocols to be followed. They are the same for journalism as for any kind of investigation. If you learn them you will be armed with the truth. Otherwise, you cannot defend yourself or your freedom.
Remember the document used by the Bush Administration to deflect attention from George W. Bush's military record? A document was leaked to Dan Rather which contained the facts on Bush's service but was in a form that made it questionable. Rather lost his job. Rove has used the same strategy to deflect attention from the time he ran his first campaign in Texas. This is a standard practice.
Rather should have confronted the agency that purported to issue the document before speaking out. If he had done so the insertion would have failed. Those who are sourced at the end of the document must be confronted on whether or not they issued it.
It is important to follow the protocols for professional journalism when researching these reports. Look over the site for Society for Professional Journalists and their Ethics page. Not nearly enough journalists follow these guide lines, they should.
If you undertake such research connect the document to those who passed it along. Document each step. Then confront those responsible with the document.
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