An Editorial Meeting

If we hold the story until tomorrow, our competitors will almost certainly break it first.

I'd rather be second and accurate than first and obliged to issue a retraction.

Our source has been impeccably reliable on every previous occasion, though.

Past reliability is reassuring, but it's no substitute for independent corroboration.

So you're suggesting we hold off until a second source comes forward?

Precisely. The allegations are serious enough that the reputational stakes are considerable.

Very well, but let's at least prepare the piece so we can publish the moment it's verified.

Agreed. Diligence and readiness are hardly mutually exclusive.