News vs. views

The NY Times' public editor thinks his paper crosses a (indeed difficult) line:

The Blur Between Analysis and Opinion

Now, this is clever on the Times' part; you have to register to view the article online, so much for "public". The article's conclusion:

I agree that journalism that is mere stenography is of little use to readers and is often even misleading. News reporters should provide context. They should challenge false assertions by authority. They should write articles giving their expert analysis. But it may be one step too far to have the same reporter write a column with voice and opinion — explicit or implicit — and news articles that are supposed to be completely impartial. That is taking a big risk with the trust of readers already inclined to believe that the news media, including The Times, are biased.

What then to make of "Canada's National Newspaper", whose main person in Washington is described thus (look at the URL of the preceding link closely):

John Ibbitson became the Globe and Mail's Washington columnist and correspondent in May 2007...

Read this piece by Mr Ibbitson, on the Globe's front page March 20, and let us know what you think about Mr Ibbitson's role as:

a) correspondent (which in the old days used to mean "reporter", as in "foreign correspondent");
b) columnist.

Mark C.

Posted by markc at April 14, 2008 07:43 PM