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TEMPLE: We stand by our reporting

By John Temple, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 22, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated August 22, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.

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Dear Readers:

It is rare for me to respond to a letter to the editor.

I believe in giving individuals the chance to have their say.

But when a senior government official responds to months of reporting by the Rocky Mountain News with a self-serving assertion that is patently false, I think you should know it. So please do read David James' adjacent response to our series "Deadly Denial." But know these few things:

Despite what James says about his agency's attempts to "again and again" explain its program to our reporter, Laura Frank, the truth is that nobody from the Department of Labor has allowed themselves to be interviewed by the Rocky since Feb. 20. And that interview occurred after more than two months of silence from the department in response to questions about sick former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons workers.

We did hear repeated promises from the department that it would respond to questions our series raised. But the answers never came, until after the articles were published. And even then, they were not directed to us.

You should know that the Labor Department has never approached me with any allegations of "inaccurate" reporting. And I'm not hard to find. My name is in the paper every day. And I publish a column nearly every Saturday with my e-mail address attached. Nor has it ever contacted our managing editor, whose phone number is published on Page 2 every day in our Corrections box.

James' letter is the first time I encountered such a claim, despite years of supervising reporting on the story. James is correct that we did publish two minor corrections after a story in February. But to call that story "a bungled stew of facts" is an example of how he substitutes distortion for calm communication.

We stand by our series' accuracy and conclusions. No one, including James in his letter, has actually identified specific errors.

"Deadly Denial" was reported by a genuine pro. Laura Frank is a nationally recognized investigative reporter. She was one of 10 journalists honored for "outstanding achievements" when the largest newspaper company in America looked back over 25 years of its journalism.

Instead of lashing out, James might do well to listen to the workers we've heard from since the series ran. These people, workers who dedicated years of service to this country, have sent us a much different message.

Thank you, they said - thank you for getting to the truth even if some in the government don't like to admit it.

John Temple is editor, president and publisher, Rocky Mountain News.

Comments

  • August 22, 2008

    6:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mike_In_Hartsel writes:

    And a "nationally recognized investigative reporter" would never slant a story or fabricate a fact? They do it all the time. Your denial appeared factual and well-reasoned up to that point. And, I personally don't doubt your claims, up till then.

    Considering the slant "reporters" put on news stories, it is wise to never fully believe anything in the newspapers. It's the "trust", John. Perhaps John Temple isn't familiar with the manner in which "reporters" have slipped in public trust polls over the years? Why do you suppose that is?

  • August 22, 2008

    10:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    primafacie writes:

    "We stand by our reporting" ... just like when you reported that John McCain has Lithuanian citizenship or whatever that was the other day?

  • August 22, 2008

    8:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    Dear Mr. Temple,

    If you "stand" behind your coverage of Bob Schaffer, your standing behind anything means nothing.

  • August 22, 2008

    9:09 p.m.

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    Sweetpickle writes:

    Don't rag on Mr. James, he's a loyal political hack and next January he'll be rewarded with either a promotion or a good job with an insurance company.

  • August 22, 2008

    10:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JohnDoeNumber2 writes:

    John Temple - your appeal of fairness in reporting is such a JOKE when you and the rest of 'Mainstream News media' (MSM) - ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, Washington Post & the N.Y. Times - IGNORES SERIOUS GAPS and INCONSISTENCIES in Barack Obama’s past & how they tie into the 'organized movement' behind the scenes of 'who' is Barack Obama!

    Like Barack Obama's 1981 'innocent' visit with a college friend and his family in Pakistan, when Pakistan was on the banned travel list for all US Citizens at the time, as non-Muslim visitors were not welcome unless sponsored by their embassy for official business?

    But, according to the Obama campaign -- Obama suddenly decided to transfer from Occidental College in L.A. to Columbia University in New York in 1981 -- and then - as if by magic - Obama suddenly finds the $$$ to 'visit' his mother and sister Maya in Indonesia!

    After that visit, Obama says he traveled to Pakistan with a friend from college (whom Obama admits was an illegal alien, and whom he lived with for over 4 years - but says he doesn't really know his true name - other than a vague name of Sadik ???) whose family was from Pakistan?

    The Obama campaign says Obama was in Pakistan for about three weeks, staying with his friend's family in Karachi and also visiting Hyderabad in Southern India .

    'An innocent little college trip to Pakistan', while Pakistan was in turmoil under martial law in 1981???

    As millions of Afghan refugees were living in Pakistan, the Afghan Mujahedeen operated from bases inside Pakistan in their war with the Soviets.

    One of those Mujahedeen leaders that based his operation in Quetta, Pakistan was none other than Osama Bin Laden!

    But, any 3rd grader should know that it's the 'WHY' that's more IMPORTANT in a news article than the Who, What, or Where to SMART JOURNALISTS - as a young Westerner would NOT travel to Pakistan, a country banned from U.S. Citizen travel in 1981:

    1. Unless Obama was to participate in a Jihad, which is the duty of every 'True Believer' of Islam.

    2. For religious education in a Wahabbi sect, by a Saudi funded, Islamic 'Madrassa' School.

    3. In order to purchase drugs from numerous drug market places in Pakistan with Obama's mysterious 'friend' Sadik http://tinyurl.com/5kfehf , who's a known drug dealer by the D.E.A. & NYC Police, and whom lists his 'occupation' as a 'consultant' on his Federal campaign disclosure info regarding campaign contributions to Obama's campaign.