MORGAN CHIMES IN ON DEFEDE ISSUE

The St. Petersburg Times' Lucy Morgan can't seem to find the right story as to why the law was changed in 1974 requiring the consent of all parties to a conversation for it to be recorded. Those who are still around from that time have varying thoughts on how the change in the statute came about.

Regardless, Ms. Morgan is supportive of fellow journalist Jim DeFede, the Miami Herald columnist who was fired hours after admitting to recording a conversation with former Miami City and Dade County Commissioner Arthur Teele, who minutes afterward shot himself in the newspaper's lobby. She is one of several hundred individuals who have signed a petition urging the writer's reinstatement.

I've thought about this a bit since I first mentioned DeFede's firing here. I still believe what the columnist did was wrong. He 1) broke the law, and 2) didn't stop the tape, even after Teele stated the conversation was "off the record". Certainly, a serious breach of ethics. However, he did the right thing by readily admitting his recording the conversation to superiors.

Should he be punished? Absolutely. Suspended? In this case, considering the circumstances, a hefty suspension --- say, 30 days --- would have been more appropriate. The time off and loss of pay would certainly get one's attention. But termination was likely a bit overreacting. Also, firing in this case only encourages other reporters to lie about their methods of newsgathering to avoid the same fate.