Dubious ethics

What a terrible order [Editor’s ‘ethically dubious’ order challenged]! Resend the rival's report first, then check whether it is correct. How can a Reuters journalist know if the opposition has a “solid scoop” without first verifying? We all know it is possible to get things wrong. Sometimes the Reuters news knocks down what the opposition has wrongly reported. What is true is the only real news. The rest is just gossip. 

This directive does serious damage to Reuters’ reputation. It also infringes the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, which require the organisation to provide “reliable news services”. In this case, journalists are required to issue a report on to the news service before ascertaining reliability. The order should be rescinded or re-formulated. ■