Fromson reveals source for Vietnam story in New York Times column

Emeritus journalism professor and former CBS News correspondent Murray Fromson wrote a column in which he revealed the source for a pivotal story he reported as a Vietnam War correspondent in 1967. The source, General Frederick Weyand, maintained confidentiality when he gave a scoop to Fromson and New York Times writer R.W. Apple Jr. about the Vietnam War's state of stalemate, but nearly 40 years later agreed to reveal his identity, Fromson wrote. He continued:  "[O]ur reports demonstrated how important it was and is for journalists to offer pledges of confidentiality to credible sources in order to report the kind of stories officials normally are reluctant to discuss. It was essential during the Vietnam War, as it is essential today in Iraq."

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