The New York Times yesterday published an article assailing John Roberts over a memo that he wrote criticizing the Supreme Court's decision in New York Times v. Sullivan. There was just one problem with the article -- Roberts didn't write the memo that was the basis of the article, Bruce Fein did. An article yesterday […]
The New York Times has decided that it is time for a modified, limited rowback on the Geraldo libel. The TV Watch column on Sept. 5 discussed broadcast journalists' undisguised outrage at the failings of Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts. It said reporters had helped stranded victims because no police officers or rescue workers were around, […]
For the record, whenever Geraldo Rivera appears on the TV screen the channel is immediately changed (if it's live TV) or I skip forward until his visage no longer contaminates my screen (if it's TiVo'd). Having said that, the New York Times' libel of Geraldo, and its unwillingness to correct the record, is just one […]
That's what Lt. Gen. Russel Honore told a reporter at a news conference the other day. When you're in elementary school, and even through high school, teachers encourage students to ask questions by telling them, falsely, that "there's no such thing as a stupid question." While they are rarely called on it, journalists know there […]
The New York Times today rolled out its "TimesSelect" service putting its columnists behind screen that only those who are willing to pay $49.95 a year get to access. Paul Krugman, Maureen Dowd and Frank Rich just aren't worth it to me. The access that the service provides to their archive might be worth the […]
I've been in the journalism business for more than 11 years now. I've worked at four newspapers, each larger than the last. I've worked for passionate, intelligent, talented editors -- and others who were none of those. I've worked for three different newspaper companies. I've worked in two different states. Keeping that in mind, there […]
It's official. If you're a columnist for The New York Times you can say that up is down, black is white or that attempting a filibuster is the same thing as successfully mounting a filibuster. [Or, if you prefer, the difference between me wanting to date Cyndi Thomson, and actually dating Cyndi Thomson.] In a […]
I must confess that I'm not really surprised to see Editor & Publisher magazine, whose editor has called on American newspapers to editorialize against the Iraq war, spin the Roberts confirmation hearings in such a way that makes Roberts look, if not bad, at least inept. Roberts Admits He's Not 'Up to Speed' on First […]
Caving-in to the race-baiters isn't the media's only failure -- and not even its worst -- in the coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The media has gotten some praise from some on the left for their outrage at what happened in New Orleans. TV and cable news reporters have lashed out at authorities […]
I'm not naive. I know that there are people like Louisiana's David Duke and Fallbrook's own Tom Metzger who have a darkness and hatred in their own hearts that makes all skin color pale in comparison. But are we still at the point that everything is always about race? I'm not a big fan of […]