Times’ Writer’s Political Commentary Draws Fire

As a former newspaper journalist and occasional political writer, I learned early that, when covering the news, it doesn’t pay to wear your personal allegiances on your sleeve. It is the quickest way I can think of to damage credibility.

I also have concluded that the most ethical and able reporting is practiced by those who keep the needle of their journalistic compasses pointed at the big “O”--OBJECTIVITY. Unfortunately for The Times and its readers, political writer Jeff Perlman’s compass needle seems to be out of control.

Objectivity can, of course, be a tricky thing. We all are influenced subtly by our built-in value systems. The honest reporter will concede readily that, from time to time, his personal compass deviates slightly from its true course despite conscious efforts to maintain objectivity.

Perlman should take stock of his credibility as a political writer by applying the cold, hard standards of objectivity to an evaluation of some of his recent work. It appears to be time for him to take his journalistic compass in for an overhaul to get that needle pointing somewhat closer to the big “O.”

WILLIAM L. SCHREIBER

District representative

for Rep. Robert E. Badham

(R-Newport Beach)