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Comment by revelation | Hacker News Reader

What the hell is going on. Why is the name of this mysterious "senior administration official" not released? He is completely mirroring the Obama line. It's not like hes blowing the whistle on any secret information and his name needs to be kept in the dark.

This has been a trend all over the press. It is time they realize they are taken for a ride in what is just another completely mundane, coordinated attempt by the government to control the public opinion.

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And how is it OK for a "senior administration official" to be leaking reassuring information on the secret surveillance programs and the secret court orders to NPR? Is there going to be an investigation of this leak? Will they tap NPRs phones like they did the Fox and APs reporters in previous leaks?

BTW - At least two senior NPR reporters are married to people working in the White House:

- Ari Shapiro, NPR's White House correspondent, is married to Michael Gottlieb who works in the White House counsel's office.

- Michele Norris, NPR host and special correspondent, is married to Broderick Johnson, who has worked on and off for the Obama campaign since 2007.

More on reporter/administration conflicts in a recent Washington Post article (hilariously in the "Style" section):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/media-administ...

In Switzerland we rarely have unattributed statements from the government. It would be considered unethical.

Unlike the US with private news providers most Swiss news (television and radio but not print) are mostly funded by the government with fees like in the UK. Government views are well represented but directly.

I think most Americans would view government-run media with extreme distrust; the fourth estate needs to be independent of the government if it's going to be an effective check on the government's power.

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