I'm thinking her handlers probably told her to always avoid specifics so they couldn't come back to bite her. Couric and other journalists know this is politician trick so they ask specific questions for a "gotcha" momement. Let's say she said "The New York Times". They would have then asked who her favorite Times writer is. If she doesn't know this then it's "Gotcha". If she answers this then the next question is: What did you think of his article on X and so on and so forth till they come to the gotcha moment.
Palin gave me the impression that she, indeed does NOT read very much in regards to foreign affairs and was much less informed than scores of regular posters on Free Republic.
And when was the last time you met and talked to Gov. Palin?
They don't follow FR to the degree that I do but they're all Sarah Palin fans. Some day I may get to meet them ~