This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Barbara Petty's defense of embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow is well off the mark ("Unfair to Swallow" (Forum, May 29). Her claim that the media is beholden to prosecutorial standards of the law and should not report legitimate journalistic research is ludicrous.
By reporting the actions of our top law enforcement officer, this newspaper upheld its responsibility to Utah's citizens. It would be criminally negligent for legal investigators and prosecutors to do so. That responsibility must be left to journalists.
Individuals in public offices, particularly important ones, must be held to high levels of scrutiny. This constant public examination has long been the responsibility and privilege of the media.
I challenge every media outlet to report both good and bad about our public officials, but we should not complain if the pertinent information is unsavory. Facts are facts.
Jennifer L. Dailey
Salt Lake City