Newspaper editors join in call for greater transparency in health talks

The Washington Times: The American Society of News Editors on Tuesday joined C-SPAN in calling for "more openness and transparency" on health care reform. 

"The group — which represents high-profile leaders of multimedia news organizations, journalism school deans and First Amendment experts — criticized what it called 'back-room negotiations' over health care that should take place in full, open committee proceedings." The group says public trust is at stake. "Mr. Obama the candidate had promised that under his administration, such discussions would take place in the open, to prevent Washington back-door horse-trading. The White House has since backed away from that" (Harper, 1/20).

James Rainey, in a column in the Los Angeles Times, suggests that tension "between the press and the Obama administration has peaked in part because of the candidate's bold promises about being more open. As the president's popularity has declined, some reporters have sensed the already reserved leader pulling back even more. ... What's both old and new for Obama is the press' demand for accountability on the promise to televise healthcare reform talks" (1/20).