Off the Record

An article in Anthony Perry’s “San Diego at Large” column Feb. 9 seems a blatant violation of journalistic ethics. In his column, Perry notes that San Diego Gas & Electric President Tom Page met in an “off-the-record” conversation with several reporters, and then goes on to describe the content of Page’s conversation.

Perry reports that “privately or publicly, Page does not deviate from the company line,” and then states that Page’s “beleaguered body language and verbal tics seemed to be saying something different.”

I am amazed that The Times, certainly a reputable journalistic organ, would print such information. It is a common journalistic practice that comments during an off-the-record conversation may not be printed under any circumstances. It would seem that facetious references to “body language” or even “verbal tics” would be also unprintable.

As a reporter, I often encounter hesitancy and distrust from sources who have been burned by unethical or careless journalists in the past. The Times should be the last newspaper to perpetuate such distrust.

RANDY DOTINGA

Senior Staff Writer

The UC San Diego Guardian

Editor’s note: It was during an on-the-record portion of the meeting that Page said his viewpoint on the SDG&E; merger is the same on or off the record.