Don’t be passive consumers of news. Even with the NYT.
That includes the New York Times.
Years ago, I had the unique fanboy honor to sit in on a “Front Page” meeting at the New York Times’ Manhattan headquarters. This is where editors assembled the all-powerful page A1 for the next day. I was in awe the whole time.
The paper of record is the gold standard for journalism, with countless Pulitzers to show for it. It still sets much of the news agenda for the country. I read it daily.
But it's getting bogged down in editorial contortions, writing around the truth at times.
Some variation of describing President Trump as “busting norms” or “challenging precedent” are favorites at the New York Times (news pages, not opinion) and on NPR. They are the ultimate understatement to describe the Trump Administration’s autocratic governing style. Press Watch calls these editorial decisions “weasel words.”
David Lit, a former Obama speechwriter, noticed that “one CBS article about Trump’s immigration crackdown said he ‘invoked muscular presidential powers,’ which is a bit like saying Jeffrey Dahmer, ‘displayed omnivorous taste.’”
Facts and truth are two different things. Many mainstream news outlets get the facts right but are unable to call a spade a spade. Defending democracy, and not downplaying autocracy, is the responsibility of the press in a republic. Doing so does not mean taking partisan sides.
Taking your attention and money elsewhere, whether to Substack or nonprofit newsrooms, is the clearest message you can send if you’re frustrated by corporate journalism.
The other thing you can do is let your favorite outlet know your complaints about their product. NYT subscribers bring in more than $1 billion in subscription revenue annually. Take a minute and provide constructive criticism on social media and directly to the company. (Don’t nitpick. Be polite.) You can fill this standard NYT form out and/or drop a note on LinkedIn to the paper’s chief growth and customer officer, Hannah Yang.