[jaxytee]

Still a conflict of interest.

[knowaveragejoe]

If you're a conspiracy theorist, sure. Why would WaPo write negatively about the CIA if that were the case?

[anotherbrownguy]

>Why would WaPo write negatively about the CIA if that were the case?

To distract from something else or to downplay their ill deeds or to explain what they did in completely different context so that the real intent can be hidden.