Journalistic Standards Under Scrutiny at the Washington Examiner

Recent coverage at the Washington Examiner, a prominent conservative news outlet, has raised questions about editorial oversight and potential political bias infiltrating news reporting.

The issue came to light following reporter Jenny Goldsberry’s publication of a story titled “Gun safety group revamps website on firearm storage to ‘end family fire.'” The article, largely comprised of content directly from a press release by the anti-gun organization Brady, promoted the group’s website that claims to provide “personalized guidance” for firearm storage.

When contacted about the story’s origins, Goldsberry acknowledged it was assigned by her editor, Adisa Hargett-Robinson, who joined the publication in July. More concerning, Goldsberry stated this was one of approximately a dozen anti-gun stories she had written recently at the editor’s direction.

The Washington Examiner has built its reputation as a conservative-leaning publication, attracting 4 million monthly online viewers and 40,000 subscribers to its weekly print magazine. What sets it apart from many partisan outlets is that even left-leaning media critics have rated its reporting as factual – a significant achievement in today’s polarized media landscape.

This makes the apparent shift in gun policy coverage particularly noteworthy. The Brady organization, which created the website featured in Goldsberry’s article, has long advocated for stricter gun control measures. Their “End Family Fire” website provides what they describe as a “personalized secure gun storage assessment,” though critics within the firearms community have questioned both its objectivity and approach.

When tested, the website provided veterans with information about suicide prevention, stating: “Most Veteran suicides happen at home, often with a gun that was easily accessible.” This messaging has drawn criticism from gun rights advocates who view it as stigmatizing firearm ownership.

The situation highlights broader concerns about editorial oversight in modern newsrooms. While traditional print operations once had multiple layers of review before publication, today’s streamlined digital operations often lack these safeguards. This creates opportunities for individual editors or reporters to shape coverage according to personal beliefs rather than established editorial policies.

Hargett-Robinson’s background raises additional questions. Before joining the Washington Examiner, she spent nearly five years at ABC News, where she worked in the network’s Race and Culture Unit and later as an Associate Booking Producer. During her tenure there, she boasted of booking “high-profile interviews, including notable figures such as David Hogg,” a prominent gun control advocate following the Parkland school shooting.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Hargett-Robinson was laid off from ABC News approximately seven months ago before joining the Washington Examiner. Multiple attempts to reach Hargett-Robinson for comment were unsuccessful, as were efforts to contact the publication’s Editor-in-Chief Hugo Gordon and managing editor Chris Irvine.

This situation underscores the challenges facing news organizations as they navigate reduced staffing while maintaining editorial standards. The Washington Examiner’s own ethics policy states: “Our constant aim is to inform readers about what is actually happening, and we do not allow any agenda to distort or deflect us from that mission.”

Whether the recent anti-gun coverage represents an intentional editorial pivot or an oversight issue remains unclear. However, it serves as a reminder of how crucial editorial vigilance remains in preserving journalistic integrity, particularly when publications have established clear political orientations that readers have come to expect and trust.

As news organizations continue facing financial pressures that lead to staff reductions, the risk of individual biases influencing coverage only increases – making transparency and adherence to stated editorial policies more important than ever.