Brian Beutler: Post Ombudsman Andy Alexander writes to Wonkroom:
Thank you for your e-mail. The Post’s ombudsman typically deals with issues involving the news pages. But I understand the point you and many e-mailers are making, and for that reason I sought clarification from the editorial page editors. Basically, I was told that the Post has a multi-layer editing process and checks facts to the fullest extent possible. In this instance, George Will’s column was checked by people he personally employs, as well as two editors at the Washington Post Writers Group, which syndicates Will; our op-ed page editor; and two copy editors. The University of Illinois center that Will cited has now said it doesn’t agree with his conclusion, but earlier this year it put out a statement (http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/global.sea.ice.area.pdf) that was among several sources for this column and that notes in part that “Observed global sea ice area, defined here as a sum of N. Hemisphere and S. Hemisphere sea ice areas, is near or slightly lower than those observed in late 1979,”
Alan Shearer, Washington Post Writer's Group Editorial Director, followed up: "We have plenty of references that support what George wrote, and we have others that dispute that. So we didn't have enough to send in a correction."
Of course, as Brad Johnson notes, one of the sources disputing what WIll wrote about the findings of the Arctic Climate Research Center is... the Arctic Climate Research Center. Anyhow, this is pretty clarifying: As long as you or I or a pathological liar with a lap top and a direct line to Fred Hiatt can produce a discarded square of toilet paper which declares the sky is orange, you've met the publishing standards of the Post's editorial page, and they'll run the claim without correction.
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