ABC-7 Listens 04.03.16

so, we rely on authorities. rick cabrera shares an example in abc-7 listens: we call it attribution and it’s key in our business. when we cover a story listen closely … and you’ll hear us attribute some of the information to someone or something. police say.. the school district tells us… a university news release explains .. all are examples of attribution. which brings us to this email from anonymous. “please watch your reporting and reports the facts correctly” ” of the 3 victims are in critical condition. and for your information 2 of the victims are not and have never been in a gang.” ” reporters i would hope channel 7 would investigate rather than jump to a conclusion and make those claims.” let’s go back an listen to our report. “police say the three men stabbed by two men in the parking lot of the bar– the pair then drove away– running over one of the victims as they were leaving. all three victims were taken to the hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries. police say they believe the incident may be gang related.” so, did you catch the attribution? police they believe it was gang-related. that wasn’t us… and neither we nor police said the victims are in a gang just that the overall incident may be gang related. also the news release from police clearly states… the three victims we transported with quote: “what’s believed to be non-life threatening injuries.” obviously we mak every attempt to get the facts ourselves… but when witnesses won’t talk or the facts are in doubt. we rely on the authorities…. with the help of attribution. rick cabrera, abc-7 listens.