Washington Post managing editor Philip Bennett has not yet responded to my request that he release a copy of the tape of his interview with People’s Daily Online. I’ve just sent the following letter to Post ombudsman Michael Getler (ombudsman@washpost.com):

Mr. Getler:

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the controversial remarks that People’s Daily Online attributed to Philip Bennett, your managing editor. Bennett says the interview includes “numerous and important inaccuracies,” but the small portion of the transcript that he released deals with his response to only one question.

Some of the quotes he has not yet disputed include the following:

- “One of the jobs of our correspondents in Baghdad is to tell our readers what the Bush administration is trying to hide. Bush says democracy is advancing in Iraq, but our correspondents say the situation there is much more complex than that.”

- “If I were a young journalist today, figuring out where I should go to make my career, I would go to China…. I think China is the best place in the world to be an American journalist right now. ”

- “As you said, we are not aggressive enough in challenging and testing the statements the government is making. For me, this episode [the administration's claims that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq] is a good example of how difficult it is to independently verify the government’s claims when the government is lying to you.”

I would like to know if Mr. Bennett really said these things, and I imagine many other Post readers would like to know as well.

It is my understanding, based on Mr. Bennett’s interview with Hugh Hewitt, that the People’s Daily Online interview was taped. Bennett can quickly and easily set the record straight by releasing the tape and/or a transcript of the entire interview. I ask you to join me in asking Mr. Bennett to do so.

Sincerely,
Michelle Malkin
Syndicated columnist/author
www.michellemalkin.com
malkin@comcast.net

Related:
- New York Times editorial, “A Chinese journalist in peril”
- Washington Post’s managing editor speaks his mind
- Reacting to Philip Bennett
- Philip Bennett update

Update: A few readers have contacted Getler themselves. Some were kind enough to cc me. I’ll post excerpts as I receive them.

Curtiss Cale: “That Mr. Bennett might assert to foreign press, without substantiation, claims that the current administration is ‘hiding’ information and ‘lying’ about Iraq, is reason enough for this matter to be addressed directly. Did Mr. Bennett really say these things? If not, a specific denial is required. If so, then substantiation of his claims is required by virtue of his position as managing editor of The Washington Post.”

Chris Weil: “As one of your American readers working in China, I would like to urge you to press Mr. Philip Bennett to release a full un-edited tape and transcript of his original interview with People’s Daily Online. After reading the published interview from here, I grew particularly disturbed at the potential ignorance and hubris reflected in the comments of one of my own countrymen in a position of prominence and ‘public service’.”

Randolph Stefanson: “Michelle Malkin, writing recently, advised that Mr. Bennett had failed or refused to release the entire tape or tape transcript of his conversation with People’s Daily Online in order to eliminate doubt as to what was said by him in that interview. I am certain that the Post, if investigating a controversial conversation of this type would demand release of the tape. I am certain that Mr. Bennett will take the high road and release these materials so that all doubt might be resolved.”

David Jasmer: “How about releasing the tape of Philip Bennett’s interview with People’s Daily Online? By doing so, we may judge for ourselves the truth concerning the numerous and important inaccuracies Mr. Bennett attributes to the People’s Daily Online. “