The journalist is often viewed as a legitimate source of information. In exchange for legitimacy, he or she has the responsibility to report all relevant information.
While I don't contest the fraud estimates reported in "Stamp out fraud tied to food aid" (June 3 editorial), I do think the information is incomplete. I urge anyone writing about this issue to report the cost of pursuing fraud.
Without this figure, the public can't determine whether the benefit of the pursuit is worth its cost. Public policy decisions should be made according to cost-benefit analysis, not ideology.
Omitting relevant details weakens public discourse and leads to biased decision-making at the ballot box.
Samuel L. Frye, Altoona
