As press inaccuracy, both on the web and in print, has produced many recent scandals, the New York Times is beefing up its effort to reduce its susceptibility to errors. As of April 10, the New York Times requires that all freelance writers “will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about their affiliations, work history, financial and personal connections and any past instances when questions were raised about the accuracy or originality of their work,” said a memo sent to New York Times staffers.

The questionnaire, which applies to only freelance writers, will be reviewed by senior editors in the department for which the freelancer works and the information promedia outlet is taking more cautionary steps to get the news right in an age where the line between speed avided will help determine future assignments.

After recent press inaccuracy like the number of reported deaths in the recent West Virginia coal mining accident, the Washingtonpost.com’s recent hiring and quick firing of a blogger who had been making inappropriate comments and plagiarized in the past, and the New York Times admitting an identity mistake in the photo that became the icon for the Abu Ghraib scandal, it is comforting to know that one nd accuracy are becoming more blurred.

Source: Poynter