Stripes editors seek answers on ASY link

[unhappycamper]

Stripes editors seek answers on ASY link
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, December 15, 2007

ARLINGTON, Va. — Stars and Stripes’ top editors have formally requested the “immediate, full and complete disclosure” of the extent of the newspaper’s relationship with America Supports You.

Managing Editor Doug Clawson and Executive Editor Robb Grindstaff requested disclosure of the documents in a letter sent Dec. 8 to Stripes acting publisher Max Lederer and Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for public liaison and internal communications. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other members of his staff were copied on the letter.

Barber deferred comment on the letter Friday to Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, who said Barber had offered to meet with Grindstaff and Clawson.

“She offered to meet with us off the record and on background, and that will not suffice,” said Clawson, noting that he declined the conditions via e-mail. “We can’t be put in a position to learn information that we can’t share with the staff or the readers.”

The editors say disclosure of the documents is critical to determining the extent of the business relationship and to maintain credibility with readers. The partnership with the public affairs program, they say, threatens the newspaper’s integrity as an independent, First Amendment newspaper operating within the Defense Department.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50991




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