Investigative deficits on Syria

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/15/investigative-deficits-syria-seymour-hersh

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Dr Richard Carter has not read Seymour Hersh's article very carefully (Doubts about Syrian chemical weapons, Letters, 15 April). He asserts it is "based on extensive interviews with intelligence staff" but its principal claims are based on only two sources: unidentified "former" officials. Nor was there any need to "interview" them since their views have been on the internet for months. Carter states that one of Hersh's claims is based on "analytical tests conducted by Porton Down". But we have only Hersh's word for this – he provides no source and Porton Down has not corroborated it. Carter describes Hersh's claim of Turkish involvement as being offered "with evidence" – but on Turkish facilitation of the attack Hersh offers no evidence. Several blogs provide dismantling of Hersh's article. The Guardian has an understanding of the evidential criteria required for investigative journalism. Hersh's work fails on all and deserves to be ignored.Brian Slocock Chester