A CHANCE TO PRAISE – AT 10:21 A.M. ET:  As readers know, we're not too kind here to the mainstream media.  I am not a candidate for the presidency of the Christiane Amanpour Admiration Society.  I do not anticipate the publisher of The New York Times taking me to lunch.

And so when a mainstream paper or network does something admirable, it is a pleasure to point it out, as we do this morning.

Last week there was a bad incident at the Detroit News.  Scott Burgess, their auto critic – an important journalistic position in Detroit – properly resigned after a negative review of his was altered at the request of an advertiser.  Such caving in under advertiser pressure is absolutely a red line in ethical journalism.

The newspaper, on Saturday, printed a front-page apology, signed by the publisher, and containing this language: 

“Our decision to make these changes following an advertiser’s complaint was a humbling mistake. As publisher and editor, I want to apologize to our readers and of course Scott.”

That was exactly the right thing to do, and putting the apology on the front page, instead of burying it in an "editor's note" somewhere, showed class and courage.  It is rare, in today's pomposity-driven journalism, to see such character. 
The apology also said:

The credibility of our journalism is our calling card to your doorstep and your digital screen. We simply cannot act at any behest but yours and we must avoid any appearance to the contrary.

That is also correct.  Compare please to some of the attitudes we see at other outlets.

The paper has offered Burgess his job back.  He hasn't announced whether he'll accept the offer. 

The full text of the apology is here. 

March 21, 2011