When the press cedes its rights to government, no matter what its intention, everyone loses. Time Magazine tried to buy protection for Matt Cooper by giving up his notes - an act they justified with murky legalese in this week's issue. And today it seems they not only betrayed their constitutional duty, they didn't protect Mr. Cooper, either. I can understand those who believe Cooper and Miller's silence only helps Karl Rove get away with another dirty deed, as argued cogently in Editor and Publisher. But as only the NYT seems to recognize, there is a bigger issue at stake than Mr. Rove's obscene manipulation of reporters, and that's the press's own self-destruction. Objective journalists should not participate in disseminating propoganda; but neither can news outlets give up their sources to the Federal or any other government.

Tag: Time Magazine