Multiple choice

As an editor of a leading newspaper you receive a complaint from a government officer, who claims that his name was wrongly dragged in a news report about a scam. He states that he was not posted in the concerned department during the period of the purported scam and joined it much later. He is anguished by the damage done to his reputation and threatens to take legal action. You verify facts from your news team and the government department concerned and find that indeed he was posted there much later. In such a situation you would;

  1. print a rejoinder in the next day’s newspaper regretting the mistake and offering apology.

  2. personally visit the person and apologise to him as apology in the newspaper is likely to tarnish the reputation of the newspaper built over the years.

  3. put pressure on him through informal but influential channels not to drag the issue further.

  4. take no action at present but wait for him to issue a legal notice.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

2.5 marks for option (a) 1 mark for option (b) 0 marks for option (c) or (b) Rationale/ Reasoning (a) Clearing the name of person and accepting the mistake of the newspaper is the best course of action. It reflects that you believe in justice and acknowledge errors committed by your team. While the mistake in itself may cause a dent to the image of the newspaper, accepting it will show that the newspaper believes in values and ethics. (b) Personal apology does not redeem the loss of prestige in public, although the individuals feeling may be assuaged. (d) Waiting for legal action to be initiated is a brazen approach reflective of lack of sensitivity towards loss of an individual’s prestige. (c) Option ‘c’ is not only non acceptance of a mistake already done, but an attempt to cover it up by another folly. Principles/ Values tested   Upholding justice in public domain and having courage of admission of a mistake

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