• Eyewitnesses – verify identities of those who contact you to talk about what they saw or heard. Don’t get snookered by someone who pretends to have been there. Verify the authenticity and legitimacy of eyewitness accounts before you use them.

• Video/Pictures/Sound from Eyewitnesses – This content is NOT being gathered by journalists. They are eyewitnesses or participants in the story. The content they offer may be authentic, but journalists have an obligation to verify that authenticity before using it online, on the air or in the paper.

• Rumors – Don’t report them as fact. Dispel falsehoods. Report the truth even if it requires you to go slower in reporting pieces of information.

• Speed and Accuracy -- Keep asking yourself two key questions: What does our audience need? And when do they need it? Don’t force a story online or on the air without a clear journalistic purpose and without proper vetting.

• Comments Sections on Web Sites – If there were ever a time for monitoring the content before it goes online, this is such a case. Encourage spirited, meaningful discussion. But don’t allow personal attacks, mean-spirited rants and vile content. Don’t allow rumors to run rampant. If your feedback section is not set up to monitor prior to publication, be sure to read behind on postings as soon as possible after they're published.