A good read on the Milbank/Cillizza failed comedy video, but this stood out:
Third, the lack of quality control was disturbing. “There was no systematic approach for viewing the content before it went up,” Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli told me last week. “Mouthpiece Theater” was intended to be edgy. Scripts were reviewed, but not all images. The absence of final vetting invited disaster. Late this week, a new system was put in place. According to an internal note, key managers have been assigned to review all videos for “fairness and taste.” Questionable videos get sent to higher-level managers. “If in doubt, run it up the flagpole,” the note says. “Remember the no-surprises rule.”
Next, the vanishing video. Brauchli ordered the video removed soon after the controversy erupted July 31 when the liberal Web site Talking Points Memo drew attention to it. Those who tried to view it on The Post’s site instead saw a message that said only that the video had been removed because it “contained material that was inappropriate.” There should have been a more complete explanation there and elsewhere on The Post’s site. Worse, the video went viral and could be found in other places on the Internet. “I concede that it’s rather Orwellian for something to totally disappear from the Web site without any trace,” said Brauchli. “You need to explain it, especially when people are coming to look for it.”





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