Re: Townsend

[Sven Franklyn Weil <sven@gordsven.com>]

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003, Dan Billings wrote:
> Do you think reporters should be able to buy drugs in order to see how easy
> it is to obtain illegal drugs?

I think that sort of story has been done before, but reporters should be
given the benefit of the doubt if they can prove they're writing a news
story on the ease of getting <insert illegal subject matter here>.

If the paper the reporter works for backs up their newsman, then that 
reporter should be given special dispensation by the court, I think.

A lot of these stories are done with the cooperation of law enforcement 
though (covering sting operations, etc.) who are usually more than happy 
since it's good PR for the police as long as the newshound doesn't "get in 
the way".

--
Sven