Asma Chaudhary | A. Chaudhary interiors

A great film to watch about journalism and fabricated details is "Shattered Glass," which is about journalist Stephen Glass and the repercussions he faced for fictionalizing names and events for his published stories.

Understand the difference between journalism and fiction: “The writer must not invent,” said Chip Scanlan, in an Internet article written for Poynter.org about authenticity specifically in the technological age.

HOW? Make sure to include:

Quotes from multiple witnesses
Status details: factual information to prove that the event took place
Verification from reliable sources
A commitment to accuracy as a journalist
An accurate attribution: Do not copy and paste.

As a journalist, decide which words can be understood clearly. Use ethical decisions and constantly check notes.

The most important question to ask: Is it true?

Determine who presented the facts and if any biases are present
Maintain confidence but strive for perfection when it comes to details
Decide if the information matches up with the rest of the narrative
Keep all notes and documentation (audio, video, photographs, etc.) in case
Maintain credibility because having a name in the byline acts as a contract between yourself and the readers

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