“I Don’t Think That It Matters.”

So said Dana Priest in an on-line chat when asked whether she thought about the market value of publishing secrets:

"…who will pay to buy a book or a newspaper that does not publish secrets? Secrets sell well and win prizes, don't they?"

I rather think the question actually gets right to the heart of the matter. Reporters have been shown exactly how to game the Pulitzers now. Publish secrets, win a prize! She doesn't see that, doesn't think it matters.

I found the transcript of the chat pretty revealing of the arrogance the press has, the high regard they hold themselves in and the low esteem they have for people who don't share their point of view.

Dana Priest: Here's a pen pal for you. His name is Mike. One of several people who shares your distorted view of why the media (myself included, obviously) tries to write about national security issues that are at the heart of what we are doing as a country. Guess the Greek tradition of spirited debate is not your strong suit, or Mike's. He wrote:
"Wow, the left wing drive by media has given you an award, when you should be hung from a rope for treason. Congratulations now go burn a U.S. flag."

The Greek tradition of making political opponents drink hemlock isn't one of my strong suits, either. Is that wrong? Priest's explanation of what the framers of the constitution really meant is also interesting. Answering a question about Bill Bennett's call for her to be jailed she replies:

Beyond that though, he seems to be of the camp that the government and only the government should decide what the public should know in the area of national security. In this sense, his views run contrary to the framers of the Constitution who believed a free press was essential to maintaining not just a democracy, but a strong, vibrant democracy in which major policy is questions are debated in the open.

She's partly right, the framers did believe in a free press. The also believed in honor, though. I'm not sure Priest understands that. She also has a blithe dismissal for the reports that investigators from the EU have not found evidence of the secret prisons. She says anyone who believes that is misreading the reports. She says the governments involved are not cooperating with the investigation.

Maybe she needs to go find a leaker so she can get another prize…..