“If your mother says she loves you, check it out.”
This stark directive has shaped journalism for decades. The phrase captures an essential truth about reporting. Trust nobody completely, even those closest to you.
Journalists face a constant battle against misinformation. Source Sources lie, documents mislead, and witnesses remember events incorrectly. In this environment, verification becomes sacred. Every claim demands evidence, regardless of who makes it.
The Chicago Connection
The saying emerged from Chicago’s newsrooms during the mid-20th century. Two veteran editors share credit for this memorable maxim. Edward H. Eulenberg and Arnold A. Dornfeld both worked at the City News Bureau. This institution trained countless reporters who later achieved national prominence.
The City News Bureau operated as journalism’s boot camp. Source Young reporters learned harsh lessons about accuracy and verification. Editors demanded perfection from their staff. Mistakes resulted in immediate correction and often public humiliation.
Arnold Dornfeld spent 44 years at this demanding institution. He retired in 1970 after shaping hundreds of careers. The Chicago Tribune covered his departure that March. The article quoted his famous advice to young reporters.
The Evolution of a Maxim
Dornfeld never claimed he invented the phrase. Instead, he credited another editor with creating it. This honesty reflects the journalistic values he championed throughout his career.
Edward Eulenberg worked alongside Dornfeld for decades. He taught at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. His reputation for demanding accuracy became legendary. Students remembered his harsh standards long after graduation.
However, the original phrase was even harsher than most people know. Eulenberg’s actual words shocked those who heard them. He told reporters to kick their mothers in the shins if they claimed to love them. Only physical proof would suffice.
This aggressive version eventually softened over time. Colleagues modified the language to make it more acceptable. The shin-kicking reference disappeared from common usage. Nevertheless, the core message remained unchanged.
Why Verification Matters
Reporters encounter deception constantly in their work. Politicians spin stories to serve their interests. Corporate executives hide unfavorable information from the public. Even ordinary citizens sometimes misremember events or exaggerate their experiences.
Consequently, journalists must approach every source with healthy skepticism. This doesn’t mean treating everyone as a liar. Rather, it means requiring evidence for every claim. Facts need confirmation through multiple independent sources.
The maternal love metaphor illustrates this principle perfectly. Most people trust their mothers implicitly. Mothers represent the most reliable source imaginable. Yet even this relationship requires verification in journalism.
Spreading Beyond Chicago
The saying quickly gained traction outside Chicago’s newsrooms. By 1972, editors in Philadelphia referenced it regularly. Rolfe Neill, leading the Philadelphia Daily News, quoted the advice in his column. He called it some of the best guidance he received as a young reporter.
Interestingly, the exact wording varied as the phrase spread. Some versions used “tells” instead of “says.” Others substituted “check it out” for “check on it.” These variations demonstrate how language evolves through repeated use.
The saying appeared in journalism textbooks and training materials. Editors shared it with new hires during orientation. Professors taught it in university classrooms. Gradually, it became embedded in journalism’s professional culture.
The Principle in Practice
Modern reporters apply this verification standard daily. They fact-check statements from government officials. They examine corporate financial reports for accuracy. They confirm eyewitness accounts through documentation.
Moreover, this approach protects news organizations from lawsuits. Unverified claims can result in defamation cases. Publishers face massive financial penalties for printing false information. Therefore, verification serves both ethical and practical purposes.
Digital journalism has made verification more challenging. Social media spreads misinformation rapidly. Fake documents appear authentic at first glance. Video and audio can be manipulated convincingly. As a result, journalists need even more rigorous verification methods today.
Lessons for Modern Media
The maternal love maxim remains relevant in today’s information landscape. Readers encounter more sources than ever before. Distinguishing truth from fiction requires critical thinking skills. Journalists must model this skepticism for their audiences.
Furthermore, the saying applies beyond professional journalism. Citizens should verify information before sharing it online. Students should fact-check research sources carefully. Business professionals should confirm data before making decisions based on it.
The principle extends to all forms of communication. Email claims need verification before forwarding. Statistics require source checking before citing. Rumors demand investigation before repeating. In essence, everyone benefits from adopting a journalist’s skepticism.
The Legacy of Tough Editors
Eulenberg and Dornfeld represented a generation of demanding editors. They pushed reporters to achieve excellence through rigorous standards. Their training methods produced Pulitzer Prize winners and industry leaders. Many graduates credit these mentors with shaping their careers.
Their approach might seem harsh by contemporary standards. However, it produced journalists who valued accuracy above everything else. These reporters understood that their credibility depended on getting facts right. One significant error could destroy years of reputation building.
Today’s journalism schools continue teaching these verification principles. Students learn to question sources and demand evidence. They practice fact-checking techniques and source evaluation. The maternal love maxim provides a memorable shorthand for these complex skills.
Adapting the Message
The saying has inspired numerous variations over the years. Some versions emphasize getting multiple sources. Others focus on documentation requirements. Each adaptation maintains the core message while adjusting the language.
One variant instructs reporters to “get a second source” when their mother claims to love them. This version explicitly addresses the multiple-source requirement. Another suggests checking “her out” rather than just checking “on it.” These subtle differences reflect regional language preferences.
The phrase has even appeared in popular culture references. Comedians use it in routines about journalism. Television shows about reporters quote it regularly. This widespread recognition demonstrates its enduring impact on how people understand journalism.
The Cost of Trust
Journalists who skip verification pay heavy prices. Their careers suffer when errors appear in print. News organizations lose credibility with audiences. Corrections and retractions damage professional reputations permanently.
Additionally, unverified reporting can harm innocent people. False accusations ruin lives and destroy relationships. Incorrect information misleads public policy debates. Poor journalism undermines democracy itself by spreading falsehoods.
Therefore, the maternal love maxim serves as crucial protection. It reminds reporters that no source deserves blind trust. Every claim needs independent confirmation regardless of its origin. This standard protects both journalists and the public they serve.
Conclusion
The directive to verify maternal love remains journalism’s most memorable teaching. It captures the profession’s essential skepticism in vivid language. Though the exact wording has evolved, the principle stays constant.
Edward Eulenberg and Arnold Dornfeld gave journalism an enduring gift. Their demanding standards shaped generations of reporters. The maxim they popularized continues guiding journalists worldwide. It reminds everyone that truth requires effort, verification demands diligence, and trust must be earned through evidence rather than assumed through relationships.