Government Blogs Don't Make Sense Either

On Monday, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack posted to the department’s six-month-old blog, [Dipnote]. McCormack seemed to be wrestling with the challenges of new media just as much as the newspapers. 

The blog is a mix of diary-like entries by diplomats, information on President Bush and Secretary Rice’s trips abroad and attempt at public discussion through a “Question of the Week.”

At times, the questions have seemed laughably inappropriate.  Asking, [“Do the Palestinians and Israelis Really Want Peace?”]  hardly seems like a way for our diplomats to assure the two parties they have a vested interest in building a permanent roadmap to peace. 

Nevertheless, the State Department’s original intention [“start a dialogue with the public”] is admirable.  By and for the people, after all.  The comment sections on some of the more controversial posts speak to the diversity of opinions on our foreign policy.

Disappointing, though, was the anger with which McCormack wrote in reference to the “mainstream media.”

One of State’s regular press briefing attendees wanted to know why the weekly question asked if the US should engage terrorism-designee Hamas in peace negotiations.  Engagement would go against a long-established policy of talking to terrorists. 

He seemed surprised and upset that the media had infiltrated his direct line of communication with the public, later writing in a post to the blog’s readers: “Maybe they think you need their help in interpreting what you read.”

Press secretaries don’t have it easy.  Managing the part-congenial, part-antagonistic relationship with beat reporters at a government agency is not a job many would want.  But members of the press are members of the public, too. 

The media should ask questions, especially ones about possible changes in policy.  If a reporter routinely attached to the State Department thought the question might signal a policy change, an American reader – or Palestinian or Israeli – of the blog could be forgiven for thinking the same thing.

Defending State’s decision to pose the Hamas question, McCormack haltingly said [“certainly, there is nothing about— nothing wrong with and—you know, asking a question and having people give their views.”] He should bear that first part in mind.