Who says civility is dead? Check out Washington Post reporter Juliet Eilperen giving Hillary Clinton campaign chair, John Podesta, a “heads up” that she’s mentioning him in a story:

I have a few thoughts about this. First, if this is routine practice, then it’s not all that big of a deal. I’ve dealt with reporters for years, and they have widely different professional habits. Some will talk about you without seeking comment (bad!), some will give you a consistent “heads-up” when you’re about to be mentioned, and some will not only seek comment from you but also give you a chance to confirm your quotes or rebut their version of the facts. If Eilperen treats her sources and contacts like this without regard to ideology — and favored sources don’t have veto power over stories or influence over their treatment — then I’m untroubled.

Second, there are times, however, when friendship or professional interest (such as, for example, maintaining access with a key source) can trump best practices. I’ve seen this as well, it’s troubling, and good reporters do their best to police themselves and each other. The problem is compounded when friendships and professional interests are not only closely intertwined but also confined to the same ideological and cultural cocoon. The human temptation to do special favors becomes overwhelming, and the special favors will tend to benefit those inside your bubble.

I don’t think there are that many hard-news reporters who rub their hands, Montgomery Burns-style, plotting to undermine conservatives and elevate liberals. I do think the world of elite journalism is overwhelmingly populated by people on the left, with leftist friends, and superior leftist contacts. This has consequences even when a reporter makes a good-faith effort to be fair.