Mea Culpa?

Washington Post ombudsman Michael Getler has apparently been getting lots of email alleging that the Post is burying or slanting anti-Bush stories, particularly stories related to Iraq (the WaPo editorial page is pro-war). Point by point, Getler reviews the charges and then admits that they have some merit. The tone is one of denying actual impropriety, but admitting that there may in fact be an appearance of impropriety. Gertler’s conclusion:

Editors should not edit because things may “look bad” to some readers. But there is a lot of smoke out there, and probably a fire.

Not mentioned is a plan for addressing these concerns.

AB

P.S. For another mea culpa, this time from NPR Ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin, click here (scroll down to “mea culpa”).