From Editor and Publisher [article no longer posted] December 31, 2004 11:00 am ET

Robert Novak "Failing as a Journalist" in Plame Affair?

NEW YORK -- In its first major look at Robert Novak and his role in the Valerie Plame/CIA probe, The New York Times today reports that a growing number of media ethics specialists, lawyers and journalists are criticizing the columnist “as failing as a journalist” by not outlining for the public his dealings with the investigation...Manly and Liptak observe:

“Lawyers for other reporters in the investigation say Novak's role is a mystery. It is inconceivable, they say, that he has not received a subpoena from the independent prosecutor, Patrick J. Fitzgerald. But they add that none of his possible responses - naming his sources, objecting on First Amendment grounds or asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination - seem to fit any plausible scenario in this case, given Novak's few cryptic statements. A spokeswoman for Fitzgerald declined to comment.”