Names, Please

I recently read a newspaper report about a special commission to study an issue in city government. Being naturally suspicious of commissions, I searched the article for the names of its members.

Nothing.

The composition of a commission can tell us how seriously to regard its findings. If it is heavily stacked in one direction or another, then that is a signal to beware. Furthermore, knowing the names helps to humanize the process and dilutes the faux authority that comes whenever someone says, "A commission found. . . ."*

All of which produces another thought. Having gone through many newspapers from the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties, I recall that in those benighted days the journalists were more inclined to list committee members, possibly as a way to increase newspaper sales. Today, even in lengthy articles, this key bit of information is routinely omitted.

An omission which should be corrected.

[*Which is right up there with "A study found. . . ."]