The Price of Independent Journalism
The Post-Intelligencer faces a libel suit for investigating city contract corruption.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A suit for libel has been instituted against the Post-Intelligencer for exposing what it believed to be a scheme to defraud the taxpayers of Seattle. This is not the first time that a newspaper has been sued for endeavoring to protect the interests of the public and it probably will not be the last. When the Krug dishonesty was first exposed by the Post-Intelligencer, motives were impugned and every effort was made to cover up the crime. The Post-Intelligencer then stated that it proposed to do its duty regardless of considerations of fear or favor. This statement the Post-Intelligencer emphatically reiterates. We believe that an overwhelming majority of the people of this community, whether they be Republicans, Democrats or Populists, are in favor of honest government and are unalterably opposed to any and all schemes to divert the public funds in an unlawful and improper manner. Subsequent developments will demonstrate whether any such scheme was intended in connection with the city heating.
“The Post-Intelligencer then stated that it proposed to do its duty regardless of considerations of fear or favor.”
Local media legal battles over investigative reporting remain a perennial feature of the Seattle civic landscape. Protecting public funds from 'schemes' continues to be a central tension in the relationship between municipal government and the press.
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