KATU reporter questioned in Wirth mess
T.A. Barnhart
Oregon Media Insiders and Willamette Week both report that KATU reporter Eric Mason has become part of the Kelley Wirth investigation. An anonymous OMI contributor also reports that Mason apparently has resigned from KATU as a result. Nick Budnick, writing in WW, reports that Wirth told Salem police she had a "romantic relationship" with Mason, and now Salem police are investigating the reporter's role in this whole mess. (I'm told Lars Larson also reported the story, but since 99% of what comes from his mouth requires instant amnesia, he's not even close to a reputable source.)
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Oct 29, '05
My, we are the excited little gossip, aren't we T.A. Barnhart?
For the record Mason also says;
Fired TV reporter denies wrongdoing in Wirth case Oregonlive, 10/28/2005 http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-12/113055804152101.xml&storylist=orlocal
`"I will let the fact that I have hired an attorney stand as my answer to that," Mason said, referring to his pending breach of contract claim against KATU.'
Hardly sounds like a resignation, much less a voluntary one, despite with that oh-so-credible "anonymous" OMI contributor says.
The rest of the AP story demonstrates once again that the media are much more interested in sensationalism than substantive issues of governance. Where is the real investigative reporting (a legislator resigned after all), such as pursuing hard-nosed legal action to force open a "sealed warrant" a month after the fact:
Wirth will end re-election bid as she resigns House seat Oregonian, 10/15/2005 http://www.oregonlive.com/elections/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/112937429880310.xml&coll=7
"The search warrant for Wirth's car remains sealed."