The Always Accurate News Headline, Even if the News Changes

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Mad libs with a headline? Substitute any word in place of "Cucumbers" and you will still have a true, although not helpful, headline. (Credit: Fox News Latino)

Journalists know the importance of writing a good headline:  the headline must be clear, newsworthy, to the point and most of all accurate.  And, if it’s a catchy headline, all the better.

But iMediaEthics doesn’t know whether to congratulate or chastise Fox News Latino’s May 31 headline for its online story about the E. coli outbreak in Europe.  With the headline “Cucumbers from Spain May or May Not be to Blame for European E.Coli Outbreak,” Fox News Latino has managed to come up with a headline that, well, can never really be inaccurate.

After all, substitute just about anything for “Cucumbers from Spain” in that headline, and you’ll still have an accurate table.   The latest movie released in theaters may or may not be at fault.  The politician of your choice may or may not be at fault.

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The Always Accurate News Headline, Even if the News Changes

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