The Sins of Leaving Something Unsaid

I asked The Post's News Research Center to check on just three -- the Heritage Foundation, which leans conservative, the Brookings Institution, which leans more liberal, and the Cato Institute, which has a libertarian bent.

In the vast majority of stories this year, the three are not identified by their leanings. Cato has been mentioned in stories or op-ed columns 30 times, 16 times as libertarian. Heritage was mentioned 115 times, 45 as conservative. Brookings was cited 270 times, five as liberal-leaning.

A Post staffer might well say that these organizations are well known in Washington. Among the political cognoscenti, that might be true. But I don't think that most readers of The Post -- print or online -- would necessarily know that. I think that for clarity's sake these organizations' political orientation should be mentioned. There are a few exceptions when a scholar or analyst doesn't fit the organization's mold; that should be reported as well. Ron Haskins, a Republican at Brookings, would be one case.

We did not identify the National Priorities Project in a Nov. 4 front-page story about military recruiting, other than to describe it as a "nonpartisan research group." When I checked its Web site, it was clear that the group questions the war in Iraq. I called its public relations person and asked if the group is "liberal, left-leaning." "Sure," she said.

Anne Hull, a reporter I admire, did a fine two-part series Nov. 13-14 on the gentrification development around 14th and T Streets in the District; it gave a flavor from the ground up about what is happening to the area.

It had one omission. The story mentioned a flier describing in derogatory terms D.C. Council member Jim Graham, a Democrat who represents Ward 1, which is near the development. Hull did not call him for comment; she said she and her editor felt it was not necessary because she did not dwell on the flier. Graham felt wronged by not getting a chance to comment. I thought he was, too. That extra call would have made the piece well-nigh perfect.

Deborah Howell can be reached by phone at 202-334-7582 or by e-mail atombudsman@washpost.com.