The Washington Post faced a reader revolt this week after printing a front page photo of two men kissing. The picture was taken in Washington, D.C., on the day the district started accepting applications for same-sex marriages. Some readers thought the Post was wrong to put such a frank picture on its front page, and about two dozen people canceled their subscriptions. Was this a lot of fuss over nothing, or did the angry readers have a point? (Watch D.C.'s first gay marriage ceremonies)
The photo belonged on the front page: Did we go too far, asks Andy Alexander, the Washington Post's ombudsman? "Of course not." Our job as a journal of record is to "capture reality," and the approval of same-sex marriages has "historic significance" in Washington, D.C. The photo "warranted front-page display" and we're glad we printed it.
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