As of February 22, none of the five largest U.S. newspapers* (USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post) had devoted an editorial on any aspect of the recent revelation that former Talon News Washington bureau chief and White House correspondent Jeff Gannon (aka James D. Guckert) was permitted to attend White House press briefings under an alias and despite having no credentials as a journalist. By contrast, numerous smaller newspapers -- ranging in size from the Houston Chronicle and Minneapolis Star-Tribune to several college newspapers -- have examined the issue in editorials.

Here are some examples:

• “An open letter to Louise Slaughter,” Niagara Falls Reporter (New York), February 8.




• “Our View,” Augusta Free Press (Virginia), February 11.




• “Fake reporter's questioning of the president fits into the administration's widening pattern of manufactured journalism,” Houston Chronicle, February 13.




• “White House in scandal over fake reporter,” The Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh), February 16.




• “Just how did 'Gannon' get White House access?” The Pensacola News Journal (Florida), February 16.




• “Phony journalist/Pimping for the White House,” Minneapolis Star-Tribune, February 18.




• “Viewpoint: Undermining free speech,” The Daily Texan (University of Texas), February 18.




• “The 'Jeff Gannon' Story,” The Oregonian, February 19.




• “And Another Thing ...” The Bangor Daily News (Maine), February 19.




• “The Propaganda Administration” (paid subscription required), Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee), February 20.

* Five largest newspapers by circulation as of September 30, 2004.