Home LifestyleInk by the Barrel Was My First Crime Story Fake News?

Was My First Crime Story Fake News?

by Jan Schroder

In my first reporting job, each morning I’d stop by the office of Greenville, Mississippi Police Chief Robert Skinner, who’d read me details of felony crimes I’d dutifully publish in that afternoon’s Delta Democrat-Times.

One morning, Chief said it would be very helpful to him if I included one particular item stolen that night – a $4 douchebag – in my story, which I did. My female editors had a fit. After heated debate, they removed the offending word. The story reported “a $4 bag” was stolen.

All afternoon I answered calls from readers, “Where can I buy a $4 bag?”

Chris Schroder, SPR Atlanta

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