Posted on 11/20/2005 5:28:55 PM PST by Daralundy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Washington Post's ombudsman rebuked journalist Bob Woodward on Sunday for withholding what he knew about the CIA leak probe from his editor and for making public statements that were dismissive of the investigation without disclosing his own involvement.
One of the best-known investigative reporters in the United States, Woodward revealed last week that he testified under oath to special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that a senior Bush administration official told him in mid-June 2003 about CIA operative Valerie Plame's position at the agency.
Fitzgerald announced a few days later in court papers that his two-year criminal investigation into who leaked Plame's identity would be going back before a federal grand jury, a sign he may seek new or revised charges.
The name of Woodward's source has yet to be made public and so far more than a dozen senior administration officials have denied any involvement in the leak.
Asked on "Fox News Sunday" if he ever spoke to Woodward about Plame, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, "No, of course not." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice issued a similar denial through a spokesman on Saturday.
In a column highly critical of Woodward's conduct, Washington Post ombudsman Deborah Howell said the newspaper took a "hit to its credibility" and called for more oversight of Woodward's work.
"He has to operate under the rules that govern the rest of the staff -- even if he's rich and famous," Howell wrote of Woodward, one of the two Washington Post reporters famed for coverage of the 1970s Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon.
Howell said Woodward committed a "deeply serious sin" by keeping Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie in the dark about his source for more than two years.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Rebuked for not being critical enough of the Bush Administration.
In a column highly critical of Woodward's conduct, Washington Post ombudsman Deborah Howell said the newspaper took a "hit to its credibility" and called for more oversight of Woodward's work.
NOTE TO MISS HOWELL: The "Washington Post" lost its credibility long ago, except in Hanoi, Pyongyang, Havana, and Cambridge, MA.
Hmmmmm....my esteem for Woodward is increasing. Now if he tells this wretch Deborah Howell to eat turd, he will really go up!!
Oh please?
"Deborah Howell said the newspaper took a "hit to its credibility""
It's not the first time!
Well it's almost unanimous, Woody is a peckerhead!
It's been a long and winding road for some to this point. I got on the turnpike decades ago.
Imagine how this must crush Robert Redford? His hero was a weenie all along.
Woody, we entrust your soul to the liberal gods. LMRO
The media can turn on their own like rabid dogs if they dont like what they hear. the Washington Post is anti-Bush, anti-truth and anti-American.
Exactly, he did no wrong in their Liberal eyes. Wonder what the real story is?
"Rebuked for not being critical enough of the Bush Administration."
Precisely!
The truth is that the law wasn't broken. Plame was NOT a "covert" operative. Lying under oath is the only thing Fitzzy boy has going for him.
Too bad we can't get a grand jury investigation of some DemocRats...they lie everytime they open their mouths.
LOL, wonder if old Bob got an undercover raise for prolonging this hysterical hoax.
I think Woodward is a fairly typical journalist. It has only been fairly recent mythology that has sought to elevate journalists. Ben Hecht's and Charles Macarthur's play and movie which has had many lives The Front Page nailed journalists. Journalists were not thought of as first class citizens and neither were athletes for that matter. They have gotten much money and fame but they are still not worthy of lionization. Most journalists are ego driven and will cut any corners, whether their name be Rather, Woodward, or Russert.
Pravda On The Potomac, is peeing it's bloomers again. More global polution.
Yep, Woodward is old enough to be an old line pre-Woodward and Bernstein member of the press. [Not unlike John Maynard Keynes not being a Keynesian.] The modern bias press is outraged by him.
Seems Ms Howell is a little confused. Since Woodward never wrote an article about Plame, how is he required to reveal his source to his editor? The only reason he finally had to say something is because the guy he talked to told Fitzy.
Yeah? What's he done of note since Watergate?
He also committed another journalistic sin -- commenting on National Public Radio and (CNN's) "Larry King Live" about the Plame investigation without disclosing his early knowledge of Plame's identity. -Deborah Howell
That she uses the language of morality usually would mean Woodward has breached a liberal piety, I guess some bogus journalistic code. The ombudsman is involved here who is supposed to represent the public. How did Woodward's actions hurt me? OK, he commented on the case he is involved in, same as Tim Russert and administration officials. That's not great, but I don't quite get why I am supposed to care so much.
You don't smell a rat? (In the best Dick Tracy tone.) Looks like Libby wouldn't last long enough to affect the election. This opens a whole new 2 year investigation.
You can bet they would not be rebuking him if he'd kept damning info he knew about Bubba under his hat.
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