It is not a lost irony that news outfits have to engage in public relations. And really, who doesn’t? If you relate to others, you do public relations. Today’s spectacle comes from the The Idahoe Statesmen. Regular readers of this blog know that, unlike what is read in reader comments in mainstream news sites, I tend to accept what pilloried politicians, government officials and the like say as having some element of truth (what benefit does lying have when the spotlight is on you?).
In other words, I view the inherent journalistic dogma, that officials–particularly those who are public figures or work in government– are de facto liars as being an unfair and ignorant journalistic bias.
In this case, though, The Idaho Statesmen rises to the occasion by acknowledging their own skepticism about claims of U.S. Senator Larry Craig’s alleged homosexual activity. The Statesmen rightfully views anonymous, or few, sources as lacking the appropriate credibility and supporting evidence.
Unfortunately for Craig, and fortunately for The Statesmen, Craig, plead guilty to a misdemeanor of said alleged conduct. This action gave The Statesmen the green light to publish prior rumors and allegations. Now Craig is fighting back, which resulted in The Statesmen having to come forward with its version of the truth. In comparison with Craig’s admitted guilty plea, The Statesmen looks like the good guy.
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