News-Record.com

Mark Binker interviewed Gov. Mike Easley last week and asked about his often frosty relationship with the press. The gov's response is here.

That interested the N&O, which wrote about it in today's edition. (Wish they had linked to the audio so people could hear it for themselves.)

I mention it because it is indicative of how many public officials -- and not just in Raleigh -- view the news media. Easley's comments illustrate a confusion about the role of the press and the role of public servants. That is, Easley has taken a public business issue and is trying to make it personal and private. Doesn't work that way when you're using public money and doing the public's business.