JUMPING the gun is an increasing temptation in the age of 24-hour news. And the way the Daily Mail shot itself in the foot by jumping the gun when the Amanda Knox verdict was announced in an Italian court last week has raised interesting questions about newspapers in general and The Northern Echo in particular.

Confusion during translation led the Mail, along with the Guardian, The Sun and Sky TV, to initially report that Knox and co-accused Raffaele Sollecito had lost their appeal against their conviction for murdering Meredith Kercher.

But the Mail’s sins were much worse than merely getting the verdict wrong. Its website led with a story which included brazenly made-up quotes and details about the reaction to the “guilty” verdict in court.

In the race to be first with the news, Mail journalists clearly had two versions of the story ready to go at the second the verdict was announced, and they were caught with their trousers round their ankles.

We all make mistakes, of course. The Northern Echo has occasionally been guilty of publishing incorrect verdicts. But there is a world of difference between human error and fabrication.

There are times when material has to be prepared in advance – obituaries being a case in point. We had a supplement commemorating the life of The Queen Mother, updated annually, ready to go for 20 years.

We often prepare two headlines to cover different outcomes, such as late-night football matches due to end right on deadline.

“Magpies’ joy” might easily be replaced with “Magpies’ woe” if a couple of late goals go in.

We run the risk, of course, that prepared editorial is published prematurely or that the wrong version gets printed. But we would never invent reaction or quotes.

I’ll always remember the time Stuart Drummond stood for election as the Mayor of Hartlepool, dressed as H’Angus The Monkey.

The vote went to a re-count and we were bang on deadline at 1am. We had two front page headlines prepared and I went with “Monkey is Mayor” before the result was official.

It was the biggest gamble of my career and the longest night of my life, waiting for confirmation that we hadn’t gone with the most embarrassing cock-up in Echo history.

The internet has added to the frenzied competition to break stories first. But the moral of the Daily Mail gaffe is that it’s better to be a minute late with an accurate story than a minute early with one that will undermine your credibility around the world.

NEIL Schneider, chief executive of Stockton Borough Council, is a sporty chap who is having to get round on crutches.

“Rugby injury,” has been his response when asked about his temporary disability.

The truth, however, can now be revealed.

He was at home, watching the England versus Scotland World Cup match, and got overexcited when England scored a late try.

He jumped off the settee, landed awkwardly and damaged some ligaments.

It really was as heroic as that.

THE little office at the end of the newsroom is empty. The light turned off. Mike Amos has left the building after 46 years.

He was never the editor of The Northern Echo but there is no doubt in my mind that he did more for the paper than anyone who ever sat in the editor’s chair.

Cheers, Mike.