Last week, I noted the apparent conflict of interest caused by the marriage of Federal Trade Commission Jon Leibowitz to Washington Post editorial writer Ruth Marcus. But I guess my concerns were unfounded, according to Post ombudsman Andy Alexander:
Editorial writer and columnist Ruth Marcus has a potential conflict because she’s married to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, but Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt said she recuses herself from discussions involving FTC matters and doesn’t write about them.
Somehow I’m not reassured by Alexander and Hiatt’s assurances. Whether Marcus actually writes about FTC matters is irrelevant. Indeed, she’d be pretty stupid to expose her conflict so blatantly. The relevant question is whether the Post’s coverage is influenced by the FTC chairman’s “special access” to the newspaper’s editorial board.
I know of at least one case — which I’ll discuss in greater detail in the future — where the Post ran a series of op-ed columns supporting a particular FTC antitrust case. The columns’ author cited a confidential FTC report that was never part of the public record. Even the defendants in the case weren’t granted access. Yet somehow it was discussed in the Washington Post.
Now how do you think the Post got their hands on this information? According to public FTC records, the various administrative motions to approve prosecution of the case were made by Commissioner Jon Leibowitz. He was the official directly responsible for bringing the case. His wife works in the Washington Post editorial department. Really folks, this is like a 10-minute episode of “Columbo.”
When I asked “Ombudsman” Alexander about this a few months ago, he curtly replied that all Post reporters must maintain confidentiality of their sources. Which makes sense when you’re trying to mislead the public.
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As Thomas Jefferson said: “Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.” Yet another reason to celebrate the big papers’ rapidly declining readership. The free market at work!
Yet another reason to celebrate the big papers’ rapidly declining readership. The free market at work!
Yet another
Do you mean to insinuate the media might be nothing but a government lapdog?
No. Freaking. Way!
ombudsman = figleaf, applies universally. please, no gasps!
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