Drawing the line
By Debbie Holtz“It is easy enough to look back at 2007 and pass judgment”, Tom Moran penned in a recent column. Given his recent hire at PSE&G, it’s seems fair to look back and at least ask some questions.
Three of Moran’s last four columns celebrated Hillary Clinton. Fair enough, Clinton is coming off a big NJ win and she is the favorite of the state’s political establishment including Essex County Democrat Chair Phil Thigpen, the father of Moran’s new boss, Rick Thigpen. Perhaps Moran should have passed on including the interview with the senior Thigpin?
Reporters and columnists also write a lot about full disclosure (Man with eagle eye for conflicts has a blind spot). So where’s the line they should draw for themselves?
According to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, it includes avoiding the perception of conflicts and “remain(ing) free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.” It’s a harder line to draw when a columnist is switching horses.
To Tom’s credit, his new employer did not reap any direct benefits. Although PSE&G has jumped on the Governor’s asset monetization bandwagon (Corzine's toll plan finds more support), Moran sidestepped the debate.
Of course, PSE&G’s support came a day after New Jersey Citizen Action and the New Jersey Large Energy Users Coalition teamed up with the Public Advocate in opposing the utility from recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in disputed costs from ratepayers. And it came a week before PSE&G announced record profits of $1.34 billion and looming double digit rate hikes for its electric customers.
Just a coincidence – seems like perfect fodder for a columnist?
To be fair, the silence on the PSE&G public relations timeline has been missed or largely ignored by most in the media.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Reports that Lisa Jackson could be headed to Washington as Barack Obama's Environmental Protection Agenecy director means that Gov. Jon ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
When I was eleven, way back in 1965, my family was invited for Thanksgiving to my cousins’ cousins, a Jewish-Italian family who lived in the ... >
Juan Melli
After the entire Star-Ledger editorial board opted to accept the paper's buyout offer, John Farmer, a 26-year veteran of the paper, was tasked ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A rained out MusicFest this past September has provided Union County with $275,000 in insurance monies. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders ... >
Murray Sabrin
Today the Asinine Watch begins. With so many illiterate statements made about the economy by elected officials in recent days and weeks, it was ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Christie says give him four to six weeks
- Lonegan enters race for Republican gubernatorial nomination
- David Crabiel, longtime Middlesex Freeholder, dead at 78
- Lonegan to kick off his second gubernatorial campaign today
- Team Lonegan
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
- Ariyan mum on BCDO chairmanship prospects
- Some county chairs keep their gubernatorial options open -- for now
- Marra will be Acting U.S. Attorney
- Breaking a glass ceiling: will New Jersey get a Latino Secretary of Agriculture?
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"The confidential agreement with Riccio completed in September and recently exposed by The Star-Ledger of Newark should spur U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to assign top staffers to uncover the whole story before Christie leaves office. Corzine's settlement is another attempt to sweep the problems from his overlapping personal and public life under the rug. Christie should pull the rug out, and soon." -- An Asbury Park Press editorial run in this morning's newspaper, apparently unaware that Christie's last day was Monday.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
James R. Lambert: Convicted Felon, Head of Authority― ONLY IN NEW JERSEY...AND PENNSYLVANIA
Why can't we find a role for Christie in Washington? ― MIKE KELLY
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Syndicate
Things that make
you go hmmmm...
Left out one of Moran's recent columns about his new boss
"The energy industry's enlightened dynamo"
by TOM MORAN STAR-LEDGER STAFF Power companies that burn mountains of dirty coal don't care much for Ralph Izzo's attitude these days. In part, it's because he wants to reduce reliance on coal by making it much more expensive to burn. But what makes it worse is that Izzo is supposed to be part of their team. As the new head of Public Service Enterprise Group in Newark, one of the largest power suppliers on the Eastern Seaboard, he is expected to toe the industry line. Instead he's...
Moran
Toms integrity remains solid in my opinion. He did not promote PS&G in any inappropriate way and though I suppose he could have recused himself from coverage, I don't see how without revealing his job search. He is allowed to move jobs just like everyone else.