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Along Life’s Way
Plausible Deniability: 101
By Lois E. Wilson
“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to P.D:101! This is the first time
Plausible Deniability has been offered to those interested in
journalism. Before, classes have consisted of aspiring politicians and
those interested in the entertainment industry.
“Let’s explore the definition of PD. ‘Plausible’—persuasive that could
be true but more likely to deceive. ‘Deniability’—one denies the
situation offering the premise he was officially uninformed. It is
illustrated in the excuse: ’My dog ate my homework’ when you know the
child has no dog.
“When you were very young, you learned by asking a lot of questions. As
you work in the journalistic area, you must keep this inquiring
attitude. Rudyard Kipling observed the following about it: ‘I keep six
honest serving men (They taught me all I knew). Their names are What
and Why and When and How and Where and Who.’
“You discover or uncover news by asking questions about what you don’t
know. You read books written by inquiring minds. You meet new people
and expand your circle of friends and sources. You never know when or
where the seeds of an article or story will arise, grow, and take you
forward. About dealing with opportunities, you keep honest and faithful
to your ethics. You strive to be curious, fair, and present the facts
as you’ve acquired them.
“However, don’t fall to plausible deniability. Keep searching. You are
responsible for reporting situations and events that affect many
others. Here is an example of a recent news story: a prominent person
was accused of dealing with foreign leaders and peddling his influence
and name to benefit the countries in return for money.
“His first comments on the matter were plausible deniability—he said he
knew nothing about the alleged matters. For a few weeks many in the
media ignored the story. Documented materials and involved people
enlarged facts which were made public.
“At a recent event, he was asked a question about supposed funds he or
his family might have received. He emphatically responded something to
the effect that he had never received ‘one cent’ from a foreign power
or leader to be influenced to any action.
“Class, do any of you have additional questions you would have asked him?”
A student responded, “Yes, I’d want to know if he received more than
one cent or penny in any currency? Also did money from a foreign nation
get funneled through family members or their enterprises to him?”
The teacher replied, “Congratulations! The latest news is that you have
just earned an ‘A’ in this course. Remember to always be aware of
Plausible Deniability and you’ll be more likely to get the real story.”
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