CJR Issue 6: November/December 2005

November/December 2005

Articles of Faith Watchdog or church mouse? The identity crisis in the Catholic Press. By Kiera Butler
Uncharted Waters Douglas McCollam goes home to investigate how closely the fate of The Times-Picayune is tied to the fate of New Orleans.
Judging Richard Richard Posner, one of the nation's most influential jurists, is a reputed press-basher. John Giuffo finds someone more complicated.
Drug Test Does thimerosal cause autism? The press (mostly) says no; the facts say maybe. Daniel Schulman takes stock of this emotionally and scientifically difficult story.
Web Special Feature: The Judy Code Judith Miller's account of her grand jury visit seems like a carefully scripted set of messages. What could those messages be? By Douglas McCollam
Web Special Feature: Newsroom Confidential The Oregonian's Stephen Engelberg goes on record about the use and abuse of unidentified sources.
Web Special Feature: FOIA Falters Even as secrecy-minded public officials try to compromise FOIA, it remains a powerful tool for reporters who are persistent and patient. By Martin E. Halstuk
Web Special Feature: Transition Game CBS Evening News interim anchor Bob Schieffer discusses the future of the Evening News, controversial comments by the chairman of CBS, and more.

Editorial The newspaper at a crossroads.
Voices David K. Shipler on addressing poverty when the government doesn't; Morton Mintz on when "he said, she said" coverage makes all the difference.
Darts & Laurels Too close to home in Philly, stealth ads, and more.
State of the Art Public-service journalism that pays. By Candy J. Cooper
Scene The post-postmodern journey of jetBlue Flight 292. By David Laventhol

Essay To establish a new agenda for the new century, the press must first help America see through its myths. By Brent Cunningham
Second Read Evan Cornog on A.J. Liebling's The Earl of Louisiana, a tribute to the city of New Orleans.
Reviews War Reporting for Cowards By Chris Ayres; Over There: From the Bronx to Baghdad; A Memoir By Alan Feuer; My War: Killing Time in Iraq By Colby Buzzell; Night Draws Near: Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War By Anthony Shadid. Reviewed by Anthony Swofford
Trail of Feathers: Searching for Philip True By Robert Rivard. Reviewed by Sam Quinones
Book Reports By James Boylan