Bad behavior has its consequences

Some say the New York Times debacle batters the trust the public has for our profession.
That is a serious concern, particularly now, as the information age steps out
of its infancy. For the sophisticated information consumer, it is no longer enough
just to receive information - it now must be trusted information. That is the
present role of the news media in an era of Drudge Reports, blast "news"
emails, e-zines and politically sympathetic reporting. We are there in answer
to a single question: Who do you trust?

That simple question carries the weight of the future of our profession and
I think it is safe to say that what happened at the New York Times will be seen
as a milestone for future generations. What many considered our most perfect
journalistic system failed in this instance in spectacular fashion. Will we
get beyond it? I believe we will.

Let's not forget, we've been battered before. The names Andrew Sullivan, Patricia
Smith, Mike Barnicle and Mike Gallagher were at least as notorious in their
day as Blair's is today.

It is the nature of human constructs to fail and I am tempted to touch on the
points that so many of my colleagues have touched on - Howell Raines' autocratic
style, the lack of oversight for Jayson Blair's obviously contradictory travel
and communications expenses. But, I know that autocratic styles occasionally
have a place in newsrooms. I know that overworked support staff doesn't always
look at the day's story budget.

The detail that disturbed me the most about the situation, overlooking the
obvious, is that Raines said he was hesitant to discipline Blair because he
is a Southern man and Blair is African American. That is disingenuous at best.
I believe in accountability and bad behavior has its consequences. If a reporter
fabricates a quote or a story, that reporter should be dismissed. If an executive
editor loses control of his publication in such spectacular fashion, he should
be dismissed, as well. Raines had nothing to lose by treating Blair as a bad
reporter, yet, when it blew up in his face, he politicked using race.

To me, that is not a trustworthy leader.