Accuracy in Agricultural Journalism

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Within today’s media landscape, a lot of times it can feel like news is more about grabbing attention than getting the facts right. But in agricultural journalism, accurate reporting is essential to maintaining trust with farmers and others in the industry. Todd Fitchette, editor of Western Farm Press, says agricultural journalism generally holds itself to a higher standard.

Fitchette… “Well, two things. I mean, ag journalism, I'd like to believe that it has something going for it, because it's really a niche. The ag reporters out there–the ones that I've met, whether they're colleagues of mine or working for competing companies–they seem to be interested in wanting to get it right. It's not just about clickbait. It's not just about being first. I might have some information and yeah, I can get that out there and I can be first with it and that's cool. That's great. But was I right? Was I correct? And if I had a choice between being first and being correct, I'll be correct. I don't wanna be first. I mean, it'd be great to be first, but if I'm gonna do that, I want to also be correct. And sometimes that takes a little bit of time to just fish out some of the information.”

Fitchette focuses his reporting on herd dairy operations, specialty crops, and water issues affecting western farmers.