Watching the Watchers: A Good Journalist Keeps Digging...

Some people may think that the New York Times' disclosure that the National Security Agency has been conducting warrantless surveillance of American citizens jeopardized national security. Others, noting that the Times had the story at least a year ago (possibly before the 2004 Presidential election) and bowed to Administration pressure not to run it, consider the Times to be in dereliction of its journalistic duty.

Meanwhile, Byron Calame, the Times' public editor, is intent on doing his job -- even if that means exposing his own bosses' misstatements and evasions. We need more professionals like Calame, who understand that their job is to learn and share the truth even if it makes those in power uncomfortable. The old Progressive "Muckrakers" would be proud.