Should publishers be required to fact-check memoirs for truthfulness prior to publishing?

I'm pretty sure this poll arises out of the controversy surrounding the memoir that was shown to be fraudulent recently. It was based on the story of a Holocaust survivor, but was proven to be fraudulent upon further investigation.

On one hand, I think it's wrong to publish something as real when you know it is not. Memoirs are intended to be real accounts of something. On the other hand, memoirs also tell a story the way the author saw it, which might not align directly with the facts.

~C
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Although there is always inherent danger in reading and believing anything, I do not believe its the responsibility of the publisher to do any fact-checking. I'd leave that with the editors. Publishers are nothing much than a company that takes written works and gets them to the public. lets also not leave out the ability of the reader to do their own fact-checking!
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"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)

It depends if the memoir actually has meaning. For instance, A Million Pieces or whatever I don't think really matters in terms of its historical accuracy, but something like this which is about actual historical events which actually affected people would probably have done well to be fact checked.

It's disgusting that some Jews are more concerned about Jews being pitied because of the Holocaust than actually recounting an accurate history.

--Mike

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Publishers should check the facts so they know whether to classify the book as an actual non-fiction memoir or as fiction. Publishers should know exactly what they are endorsing.

In my opinion it is in the best interest of the publishing company to check out what they are putting on the shelves. With that said, I wouldn't exactly say it should be required. It is their reputation on the table if a book they published is found to be false. I would hold the publishers responsible and would be suspicious of other memoirs they choose to publish.

The Heathen's Guide
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I say no b/c even though it is a memoir some of the possible fantasy adds to the book..and who is it really going to hurt if you don't know if it's true or not?

It is most unfortunate the issue of honesty is something that has to be checked. While it seems unrealistic to think everyone is going to be honest, I feel crushed that people create something for pleasure that is completely untrue. I voted "yes" that publishers should screen for accuracy because of another reality check. Publishers are going to be the ones held responsible if it comes down to falsehoods becoming best sellers. The virtually-unknown editors might be fired, but the publishers ultimately take the blame. Publishers are the figureheads that have to watch their reputations above everything.

Cheers from Union Jane
"I have only ever made one prayer a very short one: "God, make my enemies ridiculous." And God made it so." --Voltaire
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Any memoir should be checked. People are so good at lying nowadays that they have themselves completely convinced when something isn't true. I check the facts on things that people tell me all the time. (I love GOOGLE!!!)

I work with a guy who tells me that he was the last Marine to leave Vietnam... yet when I search for that fact... his name is no where listed as the last Marine.

I had a patient one time who's family said he was a famous boxer (regionally famous) and sure enough I found his record and history, including his birth name.

I just like to make sure braggers are really bragging and not lying!

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Respectfully,
Adam

A memorior is a story of a persons account. If it's not from a credible source, no one would read it anyway. Eitehrway thats how they interpreted the events.

+mspin

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I think what people need to realize is that a memoir is an account of real or perceived events from the perspective of an individual. If the author is honest the account will reflect their own perception of the events, which may or may not be factually accurate.

While I think it's would be a little extreme to require publishers to fact check memoirs, I think they should be cautious about what they publish. I also think publishers need to clearly distinguish between memoirs and historically accurate nonfiction.

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."

I origionally said yes to this poll, because as long as the book wants to have the title "memoir" on its cover, it should be verified for accuracy, as it is trying to pass as a true account, but after reading some of these comments, I'm a little more uncertain. I don't know. I think maybe it is fine for a memoir to be embelished as long as the main idea is there and no major facts are distorted, but I'm unsure if I think a memoir should be considered non-fiction.

This was a good question.

Memoirs are supposedly factual, so let's make sure that they are! Memoirs are a piece of history, so I'd like to hope they're accurate.

~ *~

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I think Publishers should make some attempt to investigate what's in a memoir and fact check it. Memoirs are suppose to be realistic. Now, so many are found to be greatly embellished or fraudulent that it is a point where the public, after finding this revelation of untruthfulness, wonders why it was bothered to be called a memoir and not something else.

A publishing company putting out a book deals with their reputations, and if they agree to publish something with their seal that they putting out production of fact- then having it revealed to them and the public as otherwise is rather not in their favor.

That whole Oprah thing with the guy who wrote a million little pieces controversy was annoying and embarrassing for her. Lets not have it happen again.
Alexa

I think that memoirs should be checked before being printed for several reasons:
1. If the memoir is false, most likely someone will find out and then the company and the author will be in trouble and cause many issues especially if certain "memories" are bias or degrading for some reason.
2. If the publisher does double check it creates a type of reliability of the book and then they are able to provide proof if they or the author are questioned about a certain part of the book.
3. Finally, I think it can help to provide background for the book and perhaps they are able to add information about each entry in order to create the setting for each memory.

All in all, I think it is important in order to protect the author and to prevent fraudulent memories which will cause the publishing company damage.
~Tomsawyer~