For those of you how don't know, Bob Novak, a syndicated columnist who writes for the Chicago Sun-Times and co-hosts CNN's Crossfire, is at the center of a maelstrom of controversy in both the media and political arenas.
I talk about journalism all the time; in fact, it seems to be all I'm discussing as of late. But I've been chewing on this issue for the better part of a week, and my desire to write about it isn't getting any smaller.
The abridged version to this highly complicated issue:
Novak has found himself in the middle of a heated debate after revealing the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame, wife of former Ambassador Joe Wilson, in one of his columns.
His column centered on Wilson, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq before the Persian Gulf War, and reports of Iraqi attempts to purchase uranium in Niger. The column said Wilson was asked by the CIA to go to Niger at the urging of his wife, sending the media and others spinning into a series of questions surrounding the motives of many, including Novak and the administration's leak.
The journalist's point of view:
The Washington Post reported that Novak was just one of six reporters called by senior administrators with this information, yet he was the only one who ran with the story. Why?
Some would say that Novak knew the havoc this move would wreak. The name was gift wrapped and tossed into his lap, and any journalist worth his salt would question why the name leaked in the first place.
Wilson has openly said he thinks White House officials leaked his wife's name as revenge for pointing out flaws in Iraqi intelligence.
Yet Novak has been quoted as saying on Crossfire, "There is no great crime here."
Perhaps there's no literal great crime here. The basic tenets of journalism say that journalists are here to uncover the truth and report on it. We are.
If someone called me with a juicy tip, however - one for which I didn't have to do any work - I would have to take a long hard look at where the information was coming from and why it was being handed to me.
And then I would weigh the issue: Is the potential information to the people worth it? Is it worth possibly discrediting the media? Is my decision to print the material based partially in my own beliefs? In all, is the risk I'm taking worth everything that comes with it?
Traditionally a trumpet for free press and the first amendment, I don't know if I have a clear answer to this one. I don't know if I were Novak, I wouldn't have done the same. Sometimes in journalism the pursuit of a story, the breaking news and, yes, personal interest, take over.
The synopsis:
Clearly for Novak, the ends justified the means.
Reporting the facts is no great crime. But Novak's offense is opening up the press to become political ammunition - nothing more than a weapon to wield for revenge.
Maybe it's just the idealistic young journalist in me, but when the press becomes a useless tool, we have failed to do our jobs.
Currently, CNN has reported, the Justice Department is investigating the legality of leaking a CIA operative's name to the press. Such a charge could bring up to 10 years in jail and $50,000 in fines.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
