validating json data before output :(

[SecretSquirrel]

hey all I am curious what is the best way to validate data is present before outputting errors / empty data :| Every time I try to display 666 it breaks my table @_@ all the data is using a isset function any ideas? thanks!

atm I am just using

if (isset($row['name']['first']) && isset($row['character_id'])) {
							$character_id = $row["character_id"];
							$game_name    = $row["name"]["first"];
							echo "<td>{$character_id}'>{$game_name}</a></td>";

						}