Washington Post’s Decision Not to Publish Upside-Down Flag Story Raises Questions
The Washington Post recently made a surprising admission regarding a story they had more than three years ago about an upside-down American flag flying at U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s home. The Post decided not to publish the story at the time, but now, in light of recent coverage by The New York Times, they have acknowledged their decision.
The incident occurred shortly after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, when demonstrators supporting former President Donald Trump carried the upside-down flag. Both newspapers reported that the same symbol was displayed outside of Alito’s home in Virginia before President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Alito explained that his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, raised the flag as part of a dispute with neighbors who had placed insulting yard signs directed at them. However, judges traditionally avoid partisan symbols to maintain neutrality in political disputes that may come before them.
The Post’s current executive editor, Sally Buzbee, was not at the paper when the original decision was made. Former senior managing editor Cameron Barr took responsibility for the decision not to publish the story and expressed regret for not pushing harder for it. Kathleen Culver, director of the Center for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin, criticized the original decision as a bad call.
The question arises: Should a public official’s family be held to the same standards as the official themselves? Some argue that Martha-Ann Alito’s actions, even if she was responsible for the flag display, are still newsworthy given her connection to a Supreme Court justice.
The Post’s decision reflects a long-held view by some media organizations that the Supreme Court should be covered through the decisions it makes, rather than as a political institution. However, some believe it is time for journalists to set aside deference to the court and hold public officials and their families accountable for their actions.
