A source of embarrassment?

Re “Angelides Camp Says It Is Source of Gov.’s Audio,” Sept. 13

The Times owes an explanation to its readers. The paper was either manipulated or a willing participant in a political effort by gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides’ campaign to discredit Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

By not originally informing readers of the Angelides camp’s involvement and motivation in providing the audio, The Times has tainted its own objectivity.

Surely there are times when the paper’s credibility with readers is more important than not identifying a source.

Schwarzenegger’s comments may have deserved media attention, but it appears likely that The Times ignored the more important story of dirty tricks. By running the story without disclosing all that was known, the paper condoned a means-justifying-ends ethic.

JOHN DROWN

Encinitas, Calif.

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The Times now considers the Angelides campaign a confidential source for information that must be protected.

Presumably, the Angelides campaign will no longer be mentioned in The Times to protect its confidentiality.

But this raises a question: Why did The Times grant confidentiality to the Angelides campaign? Doesn’t it have any reporters who can get stories without getting into bed with a political campaign machine?

ALBERT KINDERMAN

Huntington Beach