New York Times reporters rally against top editor's "dismissive" comments
Source: Salon
Published May 15, 2024 9:27PM (EDT)
The New York Times, which has faced mounting criticism from journalists and politicians for its coverage of Joe Biden, the war in Gaza and other editorial decisions, is now facing an internal battle. Semafor reports that a draft letter is circulating amongst New York Times reporters, in response to comments from editorial higher-ups that young journalists viewed as dismissive of their concerns.
In the letter, a senior editor is called out for allegedly discouraging reporters from raising concerns about the papers voice and failing to protect the empathy of our journalism." In a May 2 interview with Semafor, Executive Editor Joe Kahn defended his proclivity to view young reporters as unwilling to commit themselves to the idea of independent journalism. The newsroom is not a safe space. Its a space where youre being exposed to lots of journalism, some of which you are not going to like, Kahn told Semafor.
The comments were seemingly in reference to the hotly-debated Times editorial guidelines to avoid words like genocide and occupied territory in reporting surrounding Israels bombing campaign in Gaza, and a letter from Times reporters to the editorial board on its coverage of transgender people. Young adults who are coming up through the education system are less accustomed to this sort of open debate, this sort of robust exchange of views around issues they feel strongly about may have been the case in the past, Kahn told the Wall Street Journal in a separate interview.
Also discussed in the Semafor interview was the Times increasingly negative coverage of the Biden administration and campaign, and discussions of the candidates age, which Biden officials say is unfair. The role of the news media in that environment is not to skew your coverage towards one candidate or the other, but just to provide very good, hard-hitting, well-rounded coverage of both candidates, and informing voters, Khan said. But critics have grown increasingly skeptical that the Times is covering Biden impartially.
Read more: https://www.salon.com/2024/05/15/new-york-times-reporters-rally-against-top-editors-dismissive-comments/
Lovie777
(12,751 posts)Beowulf42
(219 posts)The very idea that the top brass at the New York Times has to publish an article like this makes me smell a rat...........
NNadir
(33,642 posts)...the Times has been increasingly right wing working to outfox Fox. I don't miss it since cancelling my subscription to what once was a fine paper.
Lonestarblue
(10,481 posts)He regularly savaged the Clintons because he considered them, especially Bill, to be poor white trash who had no business leading the US government, a job reserved for someone in the elite Ivy League. He published lies about both Clintons, and when the facts emerged and they were found to be lies, the Times never forced him to apologize or print retractions. Thats why I was not surprised in 2016 when the Times harped on Hillarys emails incessantly while ignoring Donalds multiple bankruptcies and illegal shady business practices.
The Times has not harped on Bidens age as much lately, Now theyre just publishing pieces fluffing Trump.
NanaCat
(2,332 posts)Had Ivy degrees themselves, from Yale Law.
I remember being at a cocktail party In SF with some East Coast movers and shakers in attendance. The GQP among them were literally sneering that the Clintons would have rusted out cars and trailers on the White House lawn.
Lonestarblue
(10,481 posts)NNadir
(33,642 posts)...forward every weekend to his column on language.
I learned a lot about writing from him; but he wasn't the "token" right winger. He was part of the club.
NanaCat
(2,332 posts)Filegate, Travelgate, Gore inventing the internet--
All those GQP lies with the goal of destroying Democrats? The NYT was at the forefront at whoring all of them.
Tumbulu
(6,301 posts)and soon might spring for the LA Times. No longer support The NY Times.
3Hotdogs
(12,656 posts)NNadir
(33,642 posts)KS Toronado
(17,837 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,900 posts)Thanks for the thread BumRushDaShow
Kid Berwyn
(15,593 posts)What other truths are editorially banned at NYT?
mwooldri
(10,321 posts)If it is a biased news source, label it as such.
nowforever
(332 posts)For coverage of Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar let's report on the rest of our massacres now occurring.
progressoid
(50,123 posts)Khan said with a wink and a nod.
Prairie Gates
(1,258 posts)Being "dismissive" of the dumb shit younger workers dream up is a privilege of age and seniority. Welcome to the adult world.
Martin68
(23,390 posts)of robust exchange of views around issues they feel strongly about may have been the case in the past, Kahn told the Wall Street Journal in a separate interview."
If true, that is a concerning development, possible due to the association of a frank discussion of different opinions with online flame wars, and the trolls they attract. I'd love to hear what actual "young adults who are coming up through the education system" think about this statement, and what their reactions to it might be. I'm writing as a fairly clueless boomer who just wants to understand what's true in this case.
BaronChocula
(1,732 posts)that conservatives are far more punitive than progressives. Like many other outlets, they fear reprisal from conservatives and it shows in what makes it into print. IMHO.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,575 posts)He wouldn't know "open debate" if it smacked him in the face. He wants to control the language used in the NYT (and, you know, "occupied territory" is the standard term in the rest of the world), and yet he's accusing the youngsters of wanting a "safe space"? What a hypocrite. He should resign in shame of bullshitting so openly.
ificandream
(9,562 posts)The New York Times coverage, whatever that is, won't elect Trump.