Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Woodward debacle shows need for accountability
By Anthony Violanti
The Buffalo News
Published: 11/23/05
Excerpt:
Many in the journalism world believe Woodward didn't adhere
to basic journalism standards, and appears to have ignored a troubling
conflict of interest. Nor is the Post itself unblemished by allowing Woodward to function as a protected newsroom star.
"You have to hold to the same standard of journalism (for) every
story," said Gregory E. Favre, who worked 47 years as an editor and
managing editor. "Every newsroom has its stars, but you can't have a
different standard for stars." [...]
The irony is that Woodward, as Favre said, "is a superlative reporter"
-- at least he is when he plays by the journalistic rules. And one rule
hasn't changed.
"If Woodward wants to write books that's fine, but he has to realize
his first obligation is to his newspaper and the reader," added Favre,
a former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and
current distinguished fellow in journalism values for the Poynter
Institute. "No individual is bigger than the newspaper, and no
individual has a right to damage the paper."
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