Washington Post Ombud: Limbaugh Book Reviewer Disclosure Needed

Washington Post Ombudsman Andy Alexander criticized the paper for allowing conservative commentator David Frum to review a new book on Rush Limbaugh without disclosing Frum's past disputes with Limbaugh.

“The Post wasn't looking for someone neutral when it chose David Frum to review a new book on conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh. And that has raised the question of whether Frum was too biased to be fair," Alexander writes. “Frum, himself a well-known conservative commentator and speechwriter for President George W. Bush, wrote a controversial Newsweek cover story last year arguing that Limbaugh's strident rhetoric was hurting the Republican Party."

He cited Frum's Newsweek article, which stated: “Rush Limbaugh is a seriously unpopular figure among the voters that conservatives and Republicans need to reach. From a political point of view, Limbaugh is kryptonite, weakening the GOP nationally.”

The book, Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One by Zev Chafets, was released earlier this week.

“Limbaugh is a fascinating figure to many readers, regardless of their ideological orientation,” Alexander adds. “Not everyone is aware of the feuds within the conservative movement. In this case, transparency is important for those coming to the review without prior knowledge of the Frum-Limbaugh clash.”