How Mainstream Media Will Kill A Story

The National Enquirer a couple of nights back caught former-Senator John Edwards, who is reportedly on Barack Obama's short list as a vice-presidential candidate, entering the Beverly Hilton Hotel room of a woman that isn't his wife.

His wife, suffering from cancer, was presumably back at home in North Carolina. The Enquirer story has the definite sound of legitimacy. Check for yourself, here.

So what does the L.A. Times do, they put out an email to their bloggers telling them not to discuss the story.

Slate.com takes over the story from here:

LAT Gags Blogs: In a move that has apparently stirred up some internal discontent, the Los Angeles Times has banned its bloggers , including political bloggers, from mentioning the Edwards/Rielle Hunter story. Even bloggers who want to mention the story in order to make a skeptical we-don't-trust-the-Enquirer point are forbidden from doing so. Kausfiles has obtained a copy of the email Times bloggers received from editor Tony Pierce. [I've excised the recipient list and omitted Pierce's email address]:

From: "Pierce, Tony"

Date: July 24, 2008 10:54:41 AM PDT

To: [XXX]

Subject: john edwards

Hey bloggers,

There has been a little buzz surrounding John Edwards and his alleged affair. Because the only source has been the National Enquirer we have decided not to cover the rumors or salacious speculations. So I am asking you all not to blog about this topic until further notified.

If you have any questions or are ever in need of story ideas that would best fit your blog, please don't hesitate to ask

Keep rockin,

Tony