Seattle Weekly Writer Rick Swart doesn't disclose article was on his fiance

iMediaEthics publishes international media ethics news stories and investigations into journalism ethics lapses.

Menu

Home » Conflict of Interest»

Seattle Weekly recently committed a “massive failure of disclosure” in its cover story by Wallowa County Chieftain editor and publisher Rick Swart. Swart alleged true crime book Heart Full of Lies has “a series of mistakes and false conclusions,” Regret the Error reported.

As described by Regret the Error, Heart Full of Lies “tells the story of the shooting death of Oregon pilot Chris Northon.  He was killed by his wife, Liysa.” Swart claimed that Liysa “was failed by her original lawyer” and Heart Full of Lies’ author.

However, Seattle Weekly didn’t disclose (because Swart reportedly didn’t tell Seattle Weekly) that Swart is engaged to Liysa. Swart attempted to excuse his lack of disclosure since as a community newspaper journalist, “we write about people we know, people we have relationships with, all the time,” according to Regret the Error.

Seattle Weekly and Regret the Error both rejected that explanation.  Regret the Error added that Swart’s story is now “pretty much useless.”  As a result, Seattle Weekly reportedly will be “double and triple-checking the facts” of Swart’s story.  Read more here.

Submit a tip / Report a problem

Seattle Weekly Writer Doesn’t Disclose His Article was on his Fiance

Share this article: