Yes, this is bad enough. The real scandal, however, is this: The reporters went along with a request that they abstain from, well, reporting,
The surprising lack of coverage may be explained by a report alleging that journalists present at the event were requested to sign an agreement to keep mum on the embarrassing comments. A Reuters reporter was among the journalists present and can confirm the veracity of the comments.
A member of the media confirmed Monday that “there were discussions between journalists and they agreed not to publish the comments due to the sensitivity of the issue.”
He added that while it was annoying to have to refrain from publishing the information, the journalists are subject to precise rules of conduct.
“Precise rules of conduct”: don’t embarrass some on vital Middle East issues, but make sure to report that Herman Cain asked a woman out to dinner and stuck someone with a bill.