By now we know that Michael Vick is a Philadelphia Eagle, and that he’s been in Philadelphia since Tuesday morning, working out details of his contract.  So much for all the Vick sightings and internet rumor mongering about the controversial NFL quarterback coming to Buffalo.

But I can’t help but wonder if football fans, sports fans, citizens will some day realize the distinction between reporting and passing along gossip.  There is a difference.  There’s also a difference between sources, and people who pass along information.

When I hear or read internet denizens talk about sources, I want to know who those sources are.  Are they people in position to know?  Are they decision makers, or those close to the principals involved in a particular story?  Or by sources, do these bloggers and talk show experts mean other internet bloggers, or other media members.  There’s a big difference.

I understand we are in a new world of information dissemination, and I welcome the new technology.  I acknowledge that those of us in the world of sports media have to adjust our practices and be prepared to report as quickly as we can to changing stories and different angles of stories.  We have to adapt, and we do every day.

But what we don’t want to do, is change the principles of good reporting.  We have to check and re-check leads, verify information, and wait until we’re sure we’re right before we report things.  That’s journalism.  If it means a blogger gets the information first once in a while, so be it.

The Michael Vick rumors of the last few days were brought to you by the same people who brought you the despicable Ralph Wilson rumors of a few months ago. 

In the end, media consumers have to figure out whom they trust.  Do you trust someone with a computer who reads everybody else with a computer and an opinion?  Can you wait a little while until bona fide trained journalists get the story right?  Do you feel burned, or at least a little silly, when you buy into unfounded rumors about Vick coming to the Bills, or Ralph Wilson’s passing?   Do you really have time to waste on such unfounded rumors and reacting to those rumors?

It’s up to you to decide where to get your information from.  If you prefer unsubstantiated internet reports and gossip reported on talk radio—knock yourself out.