Editor's Desk: Journalists bedeviled by credible-sounding lies

A reporter's worst nightmare is a person who concocts an identity or makes up a believable yet fictitious story that ends up in print or on the air.

Television stations and even Larry King were duped by Richard Heene, who took to the airwaves to convince the world that he and his wife really thought his son was aboard a homemade balloon that had drifted away from their house. The Heenes knew their ruse - evidently a bizarre attempt to land a reality show contract - would not be complete without full exposure in the electronic media.

In the fast-moving world of electronic journalism, where a few minutes is the difference between beating the competition and getting scooped, there's little time for doubt. That was evident on Monday when a group of liberal activists staged a fake press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Summoned by bogus press releases, reporters heard someone presenting himself as a spokesman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce say that the organization was "throwing its weight" behind strong climate change legislation - a dramatic reversal of its position so far.

The ruse was exposed midway into the press conference when the real chamber spokesman charged into the room. But by then Reuters news service had moved a bulletin on its wire and CNBC had announced the "breaking news" on the air. The New York Times and The Washington Post also posted the story on their Web sites.

The Capital hasn't been spared such dishonesty. Most of the time it's harmless, but not on Aug. 23, 2008.

That's when we published a story about the U.S. Naval Sailing Association inviting wounded war veterans to spend a day boating on the bay. One veteran quoted in the story was Marine Sgt. David Budwah, who claimed he was a patient at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and had suffered physical and mental injuries during tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I found later that he also told an American Legion audience near Washington that he was wounded by a grenade when he attempted to protect a buddy.

He made up these stories. Budwah was never deployed to a war zone or injured in the line of duty. He was a radio operator in Okinawa, Japan, and then was transferred to the Marine base at Quantico, Va., where he worked as a retail store stock clerk and warehouse laborer.

This week, Budwah admitted to a military court that last year he made up stories to get into 33 events, including banquets, rock concerts, football and baseball games, and the Vets on the Bay boating event. As a victim, I willingly offered a letter to the judge that explained the consequences of Budwah's fable.

Budwah pleaded guilty to making false statements, malingering and misconduct, and was sentenced to 18 months of confinement, a $25,000 fine, reduction in rank to private and a dishonorable discharge from the Corps. At least the Marines don't mess around with those who lie about their service records.

Budwah's crime blurs the credibility of service members who have sacrificed life and limb defending this country. Similarly, the Heenes' selfish bid for stardom throws doubt on the true stories of parents whose children are kidnapped, lost or in danger.

Perhaps, with this, readers will understand why we don't quickly print rumors that they insist are fact. Unfortunately, with people like Budwah and the Heenes out there, we have reason to distrust people and their stories.

ONLINE COMMENTS - Several readers responded to my remarks in last week's column about returning civility to the comments posted on HometownAnnapolis.com. Most applauded our decision to remove offensive comments, but some questioned whether we can really stop people from falsifying their identities. Some of the comments:

"I'm so glad you did that column … on Web site comments. I have stopped reading them, because I feel like I've unwittingly entered a health reform-type debate at the dinner table. In this relatively small town, they can be so personal and nasty that I feel a little sick to my stomach. I really wouldn't care if they would just go away, since I rarely learn anything new."

And:

"This is a bad idea. While I understand your reasons for the changes, I think ultimately you will end up with fewer and less frank comments. Trolls have been on the Internet since Day One. And they will continue to troll no matter what countermeasures are used. It is an unfortunate fact of online life. I for one am learning to put up with it just to have the open and frank talk. You know how to get rid of them? Ignore their comments."

Finally:

"I find it very disturbing that a media outlet purporting to provide a fair and balanced source of local news would simultaneously 'filter' the commentary. While I do agree that civil discourse should be maintained, so as not to divert attention away from the issues, you walk an extremely thin line in deciding what is 'strong' and what is 'offensive.' "

That's true. We walk that fine line every day when deciding what letters to print in The Capital. Should online commentary be judged any differently?

FLU SHOTS - A Severna Park woman wrote to us about her ordeal in getting flu-shot information from the county Health Department. She asked a receptionist there how there could be no appointments left when she had read in The Capital about such appointments being available. The receptionist told her, "Don't believe everything you read in the paper."

How's that for gratitude from an agency that encouraged us to get out this information?

Tom Marquardt is editor and publisher of The Capital. His e-mail address is tmarquardt@capitalgazette.com.