Yesterday's memo from the New York Times obituary editor calling for more fact-checking rigor was followed up today by a directive from on high. Standards Editor Allan Siegal's missive is further proof that, inside a paper, an erroneous obituary is one of the most exasperating and embarrassing of gaffes for all involved.

On Behalf Of Allan M. Siegal
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 9:47 AM
Subject: Obit Attribution Style

To the Staff,

This style instruction is less a matter of new policy than of good sense, and an extension of our existing standards.

Starting today, EVERY obituary must attribute the fact of death to an authoritative person or organization, no later than the second paragraph. (If we attribute the cause of death, as is our usual practice, that fulfills the requirement.)

If the obituary is attributed to another publication, we must say how that publication learned of the death.

If the obituary is credited to a wire service, we must say how the service learned either of the death -- or of the cause; either will suffice.

If we cannot get this information, we should hold the obit, and inform the obit editor, Chuck Strum. If the obit is spot and competitive, it should be discussed with the news desk editor on duty before it is overheld.

And this is another reminder of a longstanding policy that appears in our 1999 Integrity Statement and was recirculated a few days ago:

Other People's Reporting. When we use facts gathered by any other organization, we attribute them. This policy applies to material from newspapers, magazines, books and broadcasts, as well as news agencies like The Associated Press (for example, "the senator told The Associated Press"). In other words, even though The AP is a co-op and we are members, we do not treat its reporting as our own.

Your cooperation will be appreciated, and is in fact essential to the upholding of our standards.

Thanks.
Al Siegal