The media is often called the Fourth Estate because of its role
as the last watchdog against corruption and extremism in various
branches of government.
But three journalists recently betrayed that trust when they
accepted money from President Bush’s administration.
Armstrong Williams, a syndicated columnist and broadcast
journalist, accepted a payment from the Department of Education.
And columnists Maggie Gallagher and Michael McManus separately
admitted to accepting payment from the Department of Health and
Human services.
Both accepted contracts to aid the administration’s
crusade to “defend marriage” in the United States.
In Williams’ case, the ethical violation was more
egregious ““ he unquestionably used his columns and television
appearances to further the administration’s views on the No
Child Left Behind Act.
But all journalists are supposed to abide by a code of ethics
that strictly prohibits conflict of interest. Accepting government
money is a surefire way to weaken those guidelines. Media outlets
must be more active in prohibiting such transgressions.