OUTRAGEOUS JOURNALISM - AT 7:41 P.M. ET:  The AP reports on the latest diplomatic maneuvering between the United States and Iran.  Unfortunately, the AP report drifts from the facts, and is a late example of the kind of reporting that should have been corrected by an editor.  Remember editors?

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's president on Wednesday sent the clearest signal yet that the Islamic Republic wants warmer ties with the U.S., just one day after Washington spoke of new strategies to address the country's disputed nuclear program. Taken together, the developments indicate that the longtime adversaries are seeking ways to return to the negotiating table and ease a nearly 30-year-old diplomatic standoff.

President Barack Obama's administration has sought to start a dialogue with Iran -- a departure from the Bush administration's tough talk.

COMMENT:  A few facts:  First, the Bush administration, in its last year, did seek some engagement with Iran.  Second, the signal sent by Iran's president wasn't clear at all, and the AP shouldn't have gotten ahead of the story.  For all we know, this could be one more Iranian stalling tactic, a means of buying time for further nuclear development.  Attributing the most positive motives to the mullah regime was out of journalistic bounds.

April 15, 2009