Fast on the heels of the
Pentagon looking to spend $20 million on propaganda for the Iraq war effort, comes news that ten South Florida journalists were paid big bucks to undermine Fidel Castro.
International Herald Tribune - AP story
Three of the journalists who worked for the Miami Herald (one as a freelancer) were fired.
Beatty said the papers' employees have consistently demonstrated a high level of integrity, and that it is their responsibility to disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
"We have faith that our employees understand that practice and the principles that underlie that practice," he said. "And when they don't, we take action."
more below:
Jesus Diaz Jr., president of the Miami Herald Media Co. and publisher of both newspapers, said the individuals violated a "sacred trust" between journalists and the public.
"I personally don't believe that integrity and objectivity can be assured if any of our reporters receive monetary compensation from any entity that he or she may cover or have covered, but particularly if it's a government agency," he told the Herald.
It's refreshing to see the Miami Herald come out so forcefully against this sort of thing. I only wish other news organizations would have such a high regard for integrity.
Gosh, I wonder how much Judith Miller was paid. Or, say, Bob Woodward. How many journalists across the United States have nifty little deposits in their bank accounts from the government?
Follow the money, indeed.