Percy refrained from replying to the comment about the production being an opinion piece. Most of the articles in the Daily Prophet were in essence opinion pieces, but that's what made them capable of so much damage. He had seen personally how it could be used in the right hands to sway public opinion.
"Of course, they were examples in your point about how a group has intended to take matters upon themselves instead of alerting the Ministry to their concerns. Much like you did on Saturday, bringing their names to the public arena instead of coming to the Ministry, something that could cause issues for my brother and Macmillan in the field, possibly even fatal to them if your words have invited opposition to them."
And at the heart of everything, that was what angered Percy the most. The idea that someone had heard Smith's opinion piece and as a result refused an instruction given by Ron at a vital moment, leading to his brother's death.
"However, seeing as you have valid concerns, I am here to listen to them. Give me your suspicions and your evidence, and I will see what I can do... without exploiting it for media attention, and without putting DMLE employees at risk."