Nora Boustany: reporter or transcriptionist?

Nora Boustany writes "Diplomatic Dispatches" for the Washington Post. Readering her latest column, I have trouble refering to her as a a reporter, prefering instead "transcriptionist" or perhaps "propagandist."

Half of the column transcribes the remarks of Mexican ambassador Carlos de Icaza. If you've been following along, you could probably write his remarks yourself: he wants to build bridges and not walls (similar spew from Jon Vessey), workers are living in the shadows, etc. etc. All his remarks are simply transcribed, and no questions are asked of him.

And:

Tamar Jacoby , a specialist with the Manhattan Institute, a New York-based think tank, commended Specter for introducing his bill, a first draft of a major overhaul of U.S. immigration law. But "the good news is that it is only a first draft," she added. Jacoby has been active in organizing the center-right of the political spectrum behind proposals taking shape in Washington.

Now, take a look at "I stumped Tamar Jacoby". That's the kind of reporting that "reporters" like Nora Boustany are apparently incapable of.

Immigration · Wed, 03/01/2006 - 19:31 · · Importance: 1