FARLEY How reliable reporting combats misinformation in times of crisis

Why do we report on tragedy?

It’s not because we want to sensationalize anyone’s pain or trauma.

I want to say that first. We aren’t “the media” that gets lumped together where every individual gets blamed for the perceived wrongs of a faceless group.

We’re the same people who live here, have families here, and are impacted by the heartache of our community when something terrible happens. Sometimes we’re directly impacted by the loss of family members, as the victims of a crime, and in other ways.

We try not to let how we’re impacted change what we do when it comes to coverage of important topics. That’s because of why we do this.

We ask questions even when it’s hard because we don’t presume to know the answers to those questions. Instead, we rely on people, public records and data to guide our reporting and explain what’s really unfolding.

We ask questions because we know if we’re concerned, many people are concerned.

We ask questions because all too often people speculate in an information void. Widely shared speculation on the details behind an incident, no matter how false, can take on a ring of truth in a social-media-driven world.

We ask questions because we want to provide facts from reliable sources.

We ask questions because if those questions can’t be answered, it tells us — and you —there’s a problem.

We hurt when there is a loss in our community. We mourn when there is death. We grieve when there is a tragedy.

But we still must move forward and ask why. What happened? Is someone responsible? Could we have done something differently?

We have to. And you should too.

Donna Farley is editor of the Daily American Republic and Dexter Statesman. She can reached at 573-785-1414.