Why Do Journalists Still Quote Selig Harrison?

The Joongang Ilbo summarizes the history of North Korea’s denials, and America’s accusations, that it had a highly enriched uranium program.

Although David Albright and Selig Harrison were understandably not available for comment, I’ll extend a hand of generosity — just because the North Koreans are admitting it again today doesn’t mean they won’t be back to denying it tomorrow.  Maybe in between all those interviews he’s giving to some of America’s most gullible reporters, Harrison will find time to pen a retraction of his “Foreign Affairs” smear.

I can’t resist taking one more jab at Selig Harrison’s depleted credibility.  Quote:

Despite that news, he said all the officials he met with seemed eager to open discussions with the incoming Obama administration. “All the statements about Obama were very helpful, very respectful,” he said. Mr. Harrison said the North Korean officials had several proposals for Mr. Obama, including allowing North Korea to have access to long-term, low-interest credit to buy food.  [N.Y. Times]

So how’s that working out, Selig?

I ask you:  how is it that someone can be demonstrably and recklessly wrong as often as Selig Harrison and still be so sought after by the media?  Harrison’s only apparent credential is that he’s always welcome in Pyongyang, because he willingly serves as Kim Jong Il’s messenger, emissary, apologist, and publicist in the international media.  Don’t those things contraindicate judgment, integrity, and objectivity?  And if you’re a reporter who decides to quote Harrison despite all of this, don’t you owe your readers some background on Harrison’s special relationship with the world’s most odious regime?