"I'm not sure whether journalists should be happy or unhappy about getting an unfavorable ranking according to Ms. O'Leary's list. If this is really an attempt on the part of the Energy Department to manage the news, we should begin to question its motives."

"I do think it's noteworthy that this ranking didn't turn up any surprises according to staff members quoted in The Wall Street Journal article. I question the wisdom of spending $43,000 in government money to determine what the staff of the Energy Department admits it already knows."

"Historically, government agencies have been unable to choose the reporters that cover them. I don't expect this type of ranking will make that any easier."