“The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and the Associated Press pooled $750,000 last Friday to buy their way out of a civil suit in which they weren’t even defendants….the money isn’t the issue. A greater danger is that the Wen Ho Lee settlement may signal to plaintiffs’ attorneys that newsrooms are becoming soft touches when it comes to subpoena defenses.” (Jack Shafer, “Wen Ho Ho Ho Lee Gets Last Laugh”, Slate, Jun. 7). Another view: Michael Kinsley, “Two Bad Cases for Anonymity”, Washington Post, Jun. 11.
One Comment
I was happy to see that Mr. Lee got some recompense, but the problem with the Lee case is the willingness of Americans to indulge Salem Witch Trial thinking.
Whitewater? WMDs? Vioxx?
It was obvious that there was nothing to the Lee case – Jeff Gerth was involved.
I tried to explain the Stewart case to several others. Not one – not one can follow the rather simple argument.