CREW Decries WP's Failure to Disclose Novak's Swift Boat Book Connection

[Khephra]

(PRESS RELEASE)

CREW Decries Washington Post's Failure to Disclose Robert Novak Connection With Publisher of Swift Boat Veterans Book

To: National Desk, Political Correspondent

Contact: Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 202-588-5565

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Earlier today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sent a letter to the Washington Post criticizing the paper for failing to reveal that columnist Robert Novak's August 9th column praising "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry" directly benefits Novak's son, Alex Novak, the director of marketing for the book's publisher, Regnery.

CREW's Executive Director Melanie Sloan stated, "By praising the book in his column, Robert Novak provided Regnery with tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of free advertising. Clearly, any publisher, much less a small one without a substantial marketing budget, would be thrilled by the exposure Novak's column provided.

I hope Alex Novak thanked his father for the assistance." Sloan continued, "The Washington Post should be embarrassed that it allowed itself to be used by Robert Novak to hawk a book on his son's behalf."

CREW noted that The New York Times, which does not carry Novak's columns, revealed the connection in an August 30th article. When questioned as to why he had failed to disclose the link, Novak said that it was "irrelevant."

In a letter to the Post's Editor in Chief Leonard Downie, Jr. CREW listed numerous recent examples in which Post reporters disclosed even minor connections with the subjects of their articles and asked for an explanation as to why Novak was not required to provide the same sort of disclosure. CREW also asked why the Post failed to disclose the link even after the Times had revealed it.

CREW asked the Post whether its disclosure standards differ for reporters and editorial writers and suggested that the Post adopt a rigorous disclosure standard, applicable to all, and refuse to publish material by writers who do not adhere to that standard.

A copy of CREW's letter can be found on the web at: http://www.citizensforethics.org

http://www.usnewswire.com/

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=35558

[Wickerman]

1. That alone should be enough to retire the old bastard

It won't of course, but if we weren't in upside down world...

[mbali]

2. David Brock also sent a letter

August 31, 2004

Dear Mr. Getler,

I am writing to express my concern that The Washington Post continues to print columns by Robert D. Novak in which he praises books published by Regnery Publishing, Inc. without disclosing his ties to that company.

For example, on August 9, the Post ran a Novak column titled "Veterans Against Kerry," in which Novak praised and defended the book Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry and its authors, John E. O'Neill and Jerome R. Corsi. But Novak didn't tell his readers that his son, Alex Novak, is director of marketing for Regnery Publishing, which published Unfit for Command.

Novak's conflicts of interest go beyond his son's employment at Regnery. Novak himself serves as a trustee of the Phillips Foundation, along with Thomas L. Phillips and Alfred S. Regnery. Phillips is chairman of Eagle Publishing, Inc., of which Regnery is a subsidiary. Alfred Regnery is a director of Eagle Publishing and, according to Eagle's website, is "president of Regnery Publishing, Inc." Eagle Publishing also publishes the Evans-Novak Political Report, which is edited by Robert Novak.

<...>

t seems to me that all journalists and commentators need to be scrupulous in making known any possible conflict of interests, real or likely to be perceived. Sometimes it needs to be done in print, but it certainly must be made known to editors, who can make their own decision before publication or distribution.

I hope that, in light of The Washington Post's stated desire for columnists to disclose their conflicts, the newspaper will refrain from publishing further Novak columns about Regnery books without disclosing his real and obvious conflicts of interest. I also hope the Post will make its readers aware of those conflicts that have already occurred.

I have attached an item from our website that contains additional information about Novak's conflicts of interest -- and his failure to disclose them. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

David Brock
President and CEO, Media Matters for America

http://mediamatters.org/items/200408310011

[Khephra]

3. I'm so glad Brock is on our side now

He's more than made up for his "other years".

[Supersedeas]

4. Welcome, my son, to the Repuke Dirty Tricks Goon Squad

And so the legacy continues.