As a former journalist I saw obvious advertising influence at papers where the editorial and advertising departments were strictly separated (but certainly not equal, believe me). I have been disgusted in the increasing lapdog tack so many so-called journalists take. I understand the conflicts of interests between the editorial and advertising, but I say the more tension between them, the better. The advertising department should be frustrated that an advertising pulled an ad because of a negative story--it's not the editorial department's job to protect advertisers. Instead of trying to influence reporters to bury stories perhaps advertising sales personnel should encourage their clients to be ethical instead of corrupt, compassionate instead of cruel. Then there'd be no problem.

I encouraged Mr. Mong to contact FAIR to discuss where this story allegedly went wrong. We'll see if he does.

Of course, it didn't use to be that the front section of a paper looked more like an advertising supplement.

It's like the old joke …

"The food's terrible … and such small portions."