Per MSNBC TV, Newsweek just announced that only the editor or managing editor can sign off on anonymous sources. “The name and position of such a source will be shared with the top editor,” quotes the Houston Chronicle, “and the magazine will try to characterize the source appropriately.”
Meanwhile, via my daughter, Gawker alleges that Newsweek‘s retraction really meant, “The feds beat us within an inch of our lives. Can you guess who made us wear a ball gag?” More below:
See also: Ron Brynaert’s diary today, “A Deconstruction of the ‘Newsweek’ Riots.”
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Filched from Gawker:
| Newsweek Says | Translation |
| In the week since our Periscope item about alleged abuse of the Qur’an at Guantanamo Bay became a heated topic of national conversation, it will come as no surprise to you that we have been engaged in a great deal of soul-searching and reflection. | The feds beat us within an inch of our lives. Can you guess who made us wear a ball gag? |
| As most of you know, we have unequivocally retracted our story. In the light of the Pentagon’s denials… | The truth is flexible, and we journalists have to bend to that truth. |
| We have also offered a sincere apology to our readers and especially to anyone affected by violence that may have been related to what we published. | Want a cookie? |
| Veteran reporter Michael Isikoff relied on a well-placed and historically reliable government source. | We know we’re right, and so do you, GITMO LEAK RAT! |
| …we mistakenly took [an anonymous] official’s silence for confirmation. | Silence equals agreement. No means yes. Everything old is new. |
| In the weeks to come we will be reviewing ways to improve our news-gathering processes overall. | Dick Cheney will have final approval over every last charticle. |
Earlier Gawker story: ‘Newsweek’ Kinda Sorta Makes Retraction-ish Statement
NOTE: Steal the code. (Right-click, and choose “View Source.”) Now we know how to make a table at BooTrib! Clever devils we are.