Government rules prevent auditors from engaging in activities that could jeopardize their watchdog role.

"The public values the watchdog role of the press, but not as much as it once did," he said.

"Dan takes more of a watchdog role than we do."

The problem came to a head when Siegel openly protested his watchdog role.

Some countries resent the scrutiny of the United States, which can play a watchdog role in part because it is such a popular destination.

It performs the watchdog role against the ruling parties without fear or favor.

Can the press continue to play an effective watchdog role if the public is so skeptical of it and all other elites?

"It's particularly bad that the media, with its watchdog role, should be guilty of this," he added.

"We're not planning to go out of business, to fall asleep or to leave our watchdog role," he added.

"We clearly believe there is no one in the federal government who is providing a watchdog role here."