LAZY JOURNALISTS (CHAPTER 647)

There is a diplomatic dispute underway between Russia and the United Kingdom regarding the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. This is an issue which the Renaissance Man believes highlights the essential laziness of the media.

Anyone who follows the news knows that Scotland Yard detectives went to Moscow to investigate the murder of Mr. Alexander Litvinenko. As a result of their "enquiries" they have concluded that Mr. Andrei Lugovoi ought to be charged with his murder and have requested his extradition.

But Mr. Lugovoi is a Russian citizen. In refusing the extradition request, the Russian government has said that their constitution prohibits the extradition of Russian citizens.

All the media have dutifully reported these facts...he said /she said style.

But the Renaissance Man asks himself : what would a halfway industrious reporter do to follow up this dispute? Wouldn't any reporter with the slightest curiosity about the issue check to find out what the Russian constitution actually says on this point?

This is worth reporting. If the Russians are being truthful, then it would be illegal for them to extradite Mr. Lugovoi. Futher, the British should know this (or at least be able to confirm it, as should any modestly curious reporter). Thus, if the Russians are being truthful, then the British expulsion of 4 diplomats would look a bit disingenuous, wouldn't it?

On the other hand, if the Russian constitution contains no such prohibition, then their refusal to extradite Mr. Lugovoi takes on a completely different texture, as would their "retaliation" in expelling 4 British diplomats. It would raise questions about why the Putin government is protecting Mr. Lugovoi.

In other words, a lot of fundamentally important questions which really should be reported on, and even the laziest of reporters could get started on this by Googling "Russian constitution ". Then they could check out Article 61. It prohibits the extradition of Russian citizens.

And then, if they had even a modicum of curiosity, they could start to ask a few questions.

But they are gut lazy.