A Washington Post correction demonstrates one fallibility when interviewing people on the street — journalists never ask them for ID to prove they are who they say they are. (Not that we’re suggesting they do; It’s just hard to protect against folks who willingly mislead the media.)
This reminds us of one priceless example from a New York Post story back in May 2001. One source in an article about financial services companies opening up cafes gave his name as “Heywood Jablome.” Just say it out loud…and read the excerpt below.
The Washington Post correction:
A Nov. 27 Metro article about day laborers gathered outside a Woodbridge convenience store misidentified an employee of the nearby Merchant’s Tire and Auto Center. The employee told a Washington Post reporter his name was Jeff Owens. But store manager Jeff Owen never spoke to a reporter.
And The New York Post’s “blow me” quote from a May 1, 2001 story:
“If I didn’t work a block away, I wouldn’t go in. People who want to trade can do it from their laptop or hand-held device.”
Heywood Jablome, 41, a Manhattan real estate agent, agreed.
“This is a nice-looking store, but I don’t see people coming in here to trade,” he said. “Not the suits’ who work up here. No way!”
