Washington Post editors back writer who made changes to story at subjects’ request

Should reporters let their sources see their stories before they’re published or aired? Some journalists think it helps make news reports more accurate. But most shun the practice, fearing that it could enable a source to demand changes that soften criticism or alter a story’s findings.

The issue arose anew July 25 after a news outlet reported that a Washington Post reporter, education writer Daniel de Vise, showed two drafts of an article, about a controversial college test, to the subjects of the story. The sources then sought changes, which were made before the article was published on The Post’s front page in March. “Our story was a solid piece of journalism, and we’ve seen no evidence that Dan or his editor altered or softened the conclusions he reached in his reporting,” said Post Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli.