Editorial space for sale

Imagine if fiction could be turned into fact for $240,000. Columnist Armstrong Williams turned imagination into reality, and consequently received that amount for touting the Bush administration's "No Child Left Behind Act" to black Americans.

As journalists, we hoped that this incident of "moral flexibility" would remain isolated; however, several weeks later, it was found that syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher received $21,000 from a contract with the Department of Health and Human Services to promote the agency's initiative to encourage marriage. Now, we find that a journalist for Fox News may have served as a "consultant" for Bush's inaugural speech.

What happened to integrity? Has today's reporting merely morphed into the progressive amalgamation of PR and journalism -- or "prjournalism" (we're trying it out)? The practice of "touting" issues serves not only to defame the profession of journalism, but should cause some serious concern for readers, as well.

If you went to a doctor for honest advice on which medicine would best suit your needs, would you prefer him to prescribe you the best medicine or one that a drug company has paid him to suggest to patients?

The same is true in this case. While it's one thing to "get the inside story," it's quite another to sell out for it. No one wants to continually question whether the sources journalists rely on for information are actually government mouthpieces.

Although, if journalism is going to the highest bidder, we've realized we're strapped for cash too. If anyone's got a cause and some financial backing, let us know.

This space is for sale. Interested parties should contact: opinion@thedaily.washington.edu.