Journalistic Breach At The New York Times
In what should have been a good, hard hitting and relevant story about something John Edwards should explain, his employment of political operatives in his non-profit poverty organization, Leslie Wayne of the New York Times breaches the most important rule of journalism - report facts as facts, not the reporter's opinions as facts. Wayne's lede is simply intolerable:
John Edwards ended 2004 with a problem: how to keep alive his public profile without the benefit of a presidential campaign that could finance his travels and pay for his political staff. Mr. Edwards, who reported this year that he had assets of nearly $30 million, came up with a novel solution, creating a nonprofit organization with the stated mission of fighting poverty. . .
(Emphasis supplied.) That is Wayne's opinion, not a reported fact. Wayne does not have Edwards saying it nor any evidence to point to other than her own opinion of Edwards' motivations. This is simply unacceptable journalism. Instead of reporting the facts, which do require explanation, Wayne instead basically states AS A FACT that John Edwards committed a crime. Tax fraud.
It is appalling. And now the irresponsible work of Wayne should become a story, along with Edwards' practices. Shame on the New York Times, Leslie Wayne and the editor who let this through.
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