The responsible way to do it is by being open and clear about information that is confirmed and verified versus details which are unknown or uncertain. Part of this process involves being transparent about the source of the information, even if came from a rival news outlet. This doesn’t mean that a journalist should report every rumour they’ve heard. They have to be responsible and consider the potential impact of even reporting when they are investigating a report of, for example, the death of a prominent person. Networked verification turns journalism inside out as the processes that took place within the newsroom take place on an open network. It is hardly surprising that we are still figuring out how best to do this.
Social journalism research helps explain how information is verified on Twitter | Poynter.
Hermida in an interview on Poynter, weighing in on how news is verified in a world where information is coming from social media, as well as vetted sources.
Barbara K Iverson 