A question for a Raleigh News & Observer editor

(Folks, I just sent the following email to The N&O's front page editor with a copy to its public editor. I'll keep you posted. JinC)


To: Eric Frederick
Front Page Editor
Raleigh News & Observer

From: John
Blogger
www.johnincarolina.com


Re: The N&O's identification of a source


Dear Eric:

Your Oct 9 front page includes the headline, Miers defined by loyalty to Bush, after which a story begins:

In an administration filled with ideological warriors, Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers has been a quiet foot soldier whose only mission is service to the president.

That opinion sentence frames the theme of the entire story/essay.

Because of time constraints, I'll pass over the theme and get to your identification of a source, David Frum, who endorses your theme.

"She was a loyal assistant,” said former White House speechwriter David Frum. “She’s not an initiator. She was never a force for anything…. She reflects the president’s philosophy.” (Ellipse in original. – JinC)

As you know, David Frum was one of the first and sharpest critics of Miers’ nomination. In recent days, his blog here has been devoted almost entirely to fighting her nomination.

I would have thought that under The N&O’s Fairness and Accuracy policy readers would have been told of Frum’s opposition to the Miers nomination.

Why did you decide not to tell readers about it?

I look forward to your reply, which I will publish in full at JinC.

I’m copying to Public Editor Ted Vaden because he has written on the issue of proper source identification.


Cc: Ted Vaden, Public Editor