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From an editorial Wednesday in the Dallas Morning News:
President Barack Obama’s news conference last week will resonate for one statement, and, arguably, not the right one.
It’s one thing to assert, “The private sector is doing fine.” It’s quite another to state categorically, “The notion that my White House would purposely release classified national security information is offensive. It’s wrong.”
Despite Republican carping, Obama’s role as source or orchestrator of national security leaks remains unproven. At issue are sensitive disclosures to New York Times reporters that create suspicion because they serve almost exclusively to toughen Obama’s commander-in-chief image.
But simply reading The Times reveals where its reporters are learning about sophisticated virus attacks on Iran’s nuclear computers; Obama’s personal management of a terrorist “kill list”; the drone strike program; the apparent infiltration of al-Qaida cells.
The Times cites “current and former advisers,” “senior administration officials” and “members of the president’s national security team” in the room for meetings with Obama.
To believe Obama’s implausible denial, one also has to disbelieve The Times’ description of its sourcing.
Such classified leaks obviously make dangerous missions even more so for U.S. military and civilian diplomats. They also shake allies, who begin wondering if those Americans can keep anything secret.
As journalists, we understand the perpetual dance between source and reporter. One may have information, but often it’s not in the source’s best interests to have his name attached.
The reporter’s pushback is identifying the source’s level of authority while shielding his identity. A good reporter negotiates with the source to close the circle – from “administration official” to “senior administration official” to “member of the president’s national security team” – to maximize credibility.
A good reporter also understands that anonymous sources almost always have agendas. Leaks can make someone look good – or make someone else look bad. It’s neither offensive nor wrong to remember that, too.
