The Most Dangerous Spot

An excerpt from Jack Yoest:

Most of the time, it is in the interest of the reporter to protect a source. But don't bet on it. If you have anything -- anything that would make a story, you will be compromised. The most dangerous spot to be is between a reporter and a Pulitzer.

For example, would you sell out the American soldier for a Pulitzer Prize? No? Ben Bradlee would. My friend Gary Bauer tells this story:

A number of years ago at the National Press Club I had the opportunity to ask Ben Bradlee, then executive editor of The Washington Post, what he would have done if he found out ahead of time about the D-Day invasion to liberate Europe.

Would the Post have printed the story?

Bradlee's answer took a while, but the bottom line was . . .

"yes."

Now most of what we communicate will not rise above compromising anyone. But take no chances, because the reporter will take no prisoners. Of course not all reporters are monsters. Some of my best friends are journalists.

But remember reporter Ben Bradlee. Would he compromise his country?

Yes. For a story.

And for his career, I might add. It's hard to conceive of anyone more -- what's the right word here? -- pathological than someone who would endanger the lives of thousands of American soldiers and risk the downfall of a monster like Adolf Hitler. And arrogant enough to admit to it.

Comments

[Jack Yoest]

Tom, thanks for the links!

We are in your debt.

Jack and Charmaine