Almost from Day One in journalism school, there are courses on what is responsible journalism. In essence, these courses can be summed up as ‘don’t write so that you are sued and fired’. If there was an assignment where the person in focus was described in terms as “shameful”, “weasel”, “pathological liar” and so forth, it would send most journalism professors into conniptions. However, these are exactly the terms that Andrew Cohen, at the Washington Post, used in describing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. And it is superb writing:

link: Gonzo on the Hill: A Comedic Tragedy

Does Mr Cohen put himself at risk with such candid writing? After all, the focus of his article is the top law enforcement officer of the United States. How does Mr Cohen risk the wrath and might of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice? Mr Cohen’s protection is the facts of evidence… and the truth.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]andrew cohen, journalism, attorney general gonzales, department of justice, evidence[/tags]