Where’s coverage of Plame case?

Question: I am curious why there is precious little information being reported about the Valerie Plame outing investigation.

Why are two reporters being investigated and threatened with jail when the original columnist, Bob Novak, is being left alone? Is it because the two reporters (one from Time magazine, one from the New York Times) are liberal and Novak is conservative? Is it because Novak is a friend to the White House and the other two are considered enemies? Or is it because Novak was doing a job for the White House to “out” Valerie Plame in retaliation for actions of her husband?

I am even more curious why The Spokesman gives only six paragraphs and a little over 200 words to this story but can flood the rest of the pages with news on Jim West and the Morning Star Boys’ Ranch.

Local stories are important, but the Valerie Plame issue goes to the heart of freedom of the press. I would like think The Spokesman would be first in line to stand up for that right. But after reading today’s paper, I believe I am wrong. It appears The Spokesman only cares to write about the nasty Jim West sex scandal like the tabloids, and is abdicating its news reporting responsibilites. – Dennis Ostraat

Answer: Just for clarification, I’d like to point out that while the story you referred to in Saturday’s newspaper was relatively brief, we published a lengthy story on the topic in the previous day’s edition. The Saturday story simply confirmed the anticipated developments that were forecast in the Friday story.

You ask why Bob Novak is being “left alone” in the case. I think that’s really a question for the federal prosecutor who has pursued this case, but in our story published Friday, Novak was quoted as saying he will reveal all he knows after the matter is resolved.

Believe me, we’re very concerned about the developments in the case. I think most journalists would tell you that they are extremely disappointed that Time chose to turn over its reporter’s notes in this matter.

Our editorial board published an editorial in early May in support of a proposed federal shield law that would protect news reporters from having to disclose certain information they acquire in the course of their jobs. Our editorial mentioned the Plame case as a prime example of the challenges facing journalists today.

As for your point about our coverage of the mayor and the Morning Star Boys’ Ranch, I can only say that we consider both stories extremely important to our readers. I’m disappointed that you compared us to tabloid newspapers, and I strongly disagree with your opinion that we have abdicated our news reporting responsibilities.

While local news will always be the focus of our journalistic mission, we have and will continue to devote considerable attention and news space to countless national and international topics, such as the war in Iraq and the expected political battle over a U.S. Supreme Court nomination. – Managing Editor Gary Graham