The Washington Post’s Dan Balz granted anonymity to a Mitt Romney campaign staffer so that the staffer could lavish praise on his boss’ “bold” and “confident” Vice Presidential pick. Balz didn’t bother to give any justification for his granting of anonymity, writing that the staffer “spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk about the decision.”
As Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting noted, “‘This person’s identity must be kept secret in order for them to say nothing particularly newsworthy‘ does not seem to live up to the Post’s stated policy on granting anonymity.” (HT: Glenn Greenwald)
