Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Asking leading questions, getting the wrong information

In Dave Cullen's book Columbine the author gives us a first-hand look at the way the press operates. They asked leading questions of students, assuming incorrectly that they knew the killers. Were they loners? Yeah? Were they outcasts? Yeah. The killers were not wearing trenchcoats, but that is what got reported. They were not gay, but that's what got reported. They were wearing baseball caps backwards. That did not get reported.

Asking leading questions is common practice by reporters, but also by other investigators. It is abominable when professionals do it when interviewing children.

4 comments:

Terri Wagner said...

It's our whole society. Like why would you ask a poll question like "Do you like Obama?" Most Americans will say yes because we aren't a people inclined to say no I hate him or even no I dislike him. We tend to shy away from things like that. Asking leading questions just means you have an agenda to follow not an investigation to run.

Carli said...

Hi Bob. I saw an ad you had for labradoodle puppies for sale? Not sure how old it is... do you still have puppies available?
Thanks
Carli

Bob's Blog said...

Carli,
No, but we have sheepadoodles that will be ready the end of the summer or early fall. (Old English Sheep dog/standard poodle). Non-shedding, like labradoodles. Our last litter was the fastest selling we have ever had.

Carli said...

I may be interested. How much do you charge? Please e mail me at newpal5@hotmail.com