Editors Say It's Harder To Get Information

By: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press Writer (AP) Sept. 11 and its aftermath have forever changed journalism, the managing editor of The New York Times told editors gathered Wednesday at the Associated Press Managing Editors meeting here.

Gerald Boyd said the war on terrorism means journalists have to become experts in such topics as bioterrorism, and should ask questions about the countries aligning with the United States in its fight against al-Qaida, and about the need to battle Iraq.

"Everything about our daily role has changed," Boyd said. "We have to understand and explain and put it in context. It means a high responsibility. There's no doubt it's harder to get information. The difference for us is some people are not exorcised over this. They feel it's unpatriotic to raise those issues."

Even on a local level, it is becoming harder to obtain information, said Melanie Sill, executive editor of The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C., who shared a panel with Boyd and several other top newsroom executives.

Following the death of race car driver Dale Earnhardt, the Florida Legislature in 2001 voted to limit access to autopsy photos. Sill said the public is not upset over such efforts. "The loss of our standing with ordinary people is a problem," Sill said.

Overseas, journalists are increasingly becoming victims of violence. Daniel Pearl, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was killed earlier this year in Pakistan as he was working on a story.

"You see forces throughout the world who do not want truthtellers in their midst," said Journal Managing Editor Paul Steiger. "They don't want the service we provide."

The APME is comprised of managing editors and other news executives of the 1,550 member newspapers of The Associated Press, the world's oldest and largest newsgathering organization.

Associated Press Managing Editors: http://www.apme.com