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Are we fanning the flames or informing the public? Perhaps we are doing both, but I think that sometimes we make matters worse by writing about a dire situation or making it sound more dire than it is just to grab some attention.

In my view, it's fine to have a headline that reads "ABC Bank downgraded by Doui, Cheatum & Howh," yet it may be too provocative to use something like "ABC Bank looks like toast after downgrade, would you risk it?"

Many of our readers have commented lately that we are doing the latter. When we post something edgy, are we promoting debate or just scaring folks?

Its one thing to post "Investors are concerned" and still another to write "Investors can't to the door fast enough."

It seems to me that anyone in a position of leadership or the public eye should be a voice of reason. We should try to write objectively and not sensationalize things.

Unfortunately, the media is often guided by the old adage -- Dog bites man is not a story, man bites dog is.

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Informing the public or fanning the flames? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan GreenspanAlanGreenspanColin PowellColinPowelldiscourseover zealous reportingOverZealousReportingspeculationTue, 30 Sep 2008 14:50:00 EST