One thing we don’t pay close attention to when reading the news is the source of that news. Journalists try to have more than one source for a particular bit of information. Very often, as in the case of Plamegate, sources are not named specifically. Sometimes the sources talking to the press on background are spinning. This, of course, is the essence of the Victoria Plame outing; journalists and news outlets being used to move administration plans and policies forward. So, it’s interesting to look more carefully at who sources are. In the lead articles this morning in the two big papers the New York Times is relying on lawyers, probably lawyers for witnesses who appeared before the Grand Jury. The Washington Post seems to have people inside the White House furnishing their story to the press. One has to do a lot of critical thinking to decide which way the story is being pushed by the sources, why they are talking and what they want to achieve.
Cheney Aide Likely to Be Indicted Today; Rove Under Scrutiny
By DAVID JOHNSTON and RICHARD W. STEVENSON
Published: October 28, 2005
“...lawyers in the case said”
“...people briefed officially about the case said”
“...people involved in the investigation”
“White House officials said”
“Officials said”
“Administration officials said”
“...according to lawyers in the case. (The lawyers declined to be named)”
“...the lawyers said”
“...lawyers involved in the case said”
White House Braces for Indictment; Rove Said to Be Spared for Now
By Jim VandeHei and Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 28, 2005; 11:51 AM
“...the lawyer for Karl Rove said”
“...a source close to the investigation”
“...said a source close to Rove”
“Rove's own comments to reporters”
“Two sources familiar with the investigation”
“A Republican consultant with close White House ties
“But officials close to Rove and Libby”
“People close to Rove”
“...speculation among lawyers for witnesses in the case”
“...two legal sources”
“Two top aides”
“...one aide said”
“The consultant who spoke with Card”
“...according to a person familiar with the plan”
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