Asking Questions to Power

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Harvard University's Nieman Foundation for Journalism launched a new website, "to encourage watchdog reporting by drawing on authorities in various fields to suggest questions for the press to ask," according to the press release announcing NiemanWatchdog.org. In an introductory commentary, website editor Barry Sussman writes: "Targeted, insightful questions are typically more difficult for public officials, candidates and others in public life to dodge, mislead or even lie about." Among the questions already on the website are: "Aren't hair-trigger nuclear missiles a target for terrorists?"; "Abu Ghraib aside; where is the reporting on U.S. prisons?"; and "What's the progress with 'leave no child behind?'."