Barbara Walters' personal code of journalism ethics: An oxymoron?
Monday, May 5, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
The disclosure in Barbara Walters' memoir about a 1970s affair with then U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke surfaced last week as part of a publicity campaign for her new book.
More questions about Walters' relationships may be raised after the publication of a little-noticed spy novel that mentions her by name.
The ABC television journalist obtained an exclusive interview with Israel's Minister of Defense Ezer Weizman during the Camp David negotiations in 1978, according to the newly released book, "Clash of the Gods."
The Walters interview and associated rumors are disclosed in the international thriller that according to its prologue is based in part on real people, contemporary and historical events, and actual espionage operations.
A press release by the publishers on May 5, hints that the revelation is not fictional.
A passage in the novel reads:
" the rumor is that Barbara said she would do 'anything' for the story. So someone approached Ezer Weizman, the Israeli minister of defense, and said that Ms. Walters said she would do 'anything' for the story. Apparently Mr. Weizman asked, 'Anything?'"
"Well, to make a seamy story short, when Barbara went to a cocktail party in Washington with the Israeli VIPs she was told to stick around after the party was over. She ended up with an interview in a hotel room, all night long, with the Israeli minister of defense."
According to Clash of the Gods, the Israelis wanted their version of the story out to the public and "apparently found a wonderful opportunity with Barbara Walters."
"Clash of the Gods" was written written by Jonathan Slevin and Charles Sutherland who live and work in the Washington, D.C. area and have extensive backgrounds in media and international affairs.