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EDITOR'S NOTES |
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The role of NewsHour contributors Stuart Taylor and Doris Kearns Goodwin was the topic of two Editor's Notes by Jim Lehrer during the week of April 13-17, 1998.
Les Crystal answered your questions on Friday, April 24.Commentary and News Analysis
April 14, 1998
A RealAudio version of this segment is available.
An editor's note before we go tonight: It's about Stuart Taylor, who's been doing regular and superb reporting on the NewsHour about the Supreme Court. He will no longer be doing such reports, and I wanted you to know why.
We have always separated those who report the news from those who analyze or comment on it. I do not give my opinion about anything; neither do Elizabeth Farnsworth, Margaret Warner, Phil Ponce, or any of the other staff correspondents. The same rule applies to reporters from other news organizations who are debriefed about a story.
We leave the opinions to Mark Shields and Paul Gigot, our historians, our regional commentators, and our essayists, as well as other invited and clearly identified commentators and advocates.
The distinction is very important to us. And we believe Stuart's recent commentaries in print and on other TV programs about the Starr investigation have caused some blurring of the lines and some confusion about his role with us. He may still appear on the NewsHour from time to time but as a clearly labeled commentator, not as a straight news reporter.
Political Endorsements
April 17, 1998
An Editor's Note before we go tonight. It has to do with Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of our historian regulars. She appeared in a television commercial for one of the candidates in the Democratic primary race for Governor of California.
When we heard it we called Doris and said "your role on this program, unlike that of a straight news reporter, often involves giving an opinion. But we feel it is inappropriate for NewsHour regulars, no matter their function, to endorse political candidates." She readily agreed and immediately asked officials of the candidate's campaign to pull the commercial. There was an unfortunate delay in some areas of Northern California, but now it has been done.
This is the second incident this week involving a NewsHour contributor. The other was Stuart Taylor. Our Online NewsHour will be conducting a forum on the issues raised by both of them beginning tonight. Les Crystal, our Executive Producer, will field your questions and comments.
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