July 26, 2004

Okrent Spots a Rat

By Richard Baehr
Daniel Okrent, the New York Times' recently appointed Public Editor, has already had some run—ins with Times writers and staff, who are apparently not used to criticism or scrutiny from within. After his July 25 column, Is the New York Times a Liberal Newspaper? some in the paper may hope that his upcoming vacation becomes permanent. Okrent answers his own question, 'Of course it is.' He argues that the Times clearly does not 'play it down the middle' on coverage of hot button social issues, and as an example analyzes the paper's coverage of gay marriage. He accurately calls the Times' coverage of the issue advocacy journalism. He notes that stories that might add nuance to the issue, or detail considerations that are not supportive of gay marriage never are written or published in the paper. Former editor Howell Raines talked of 'flooding the zone' with the Times' best reporters for a big story. Regrettably, Okrent notes that the flooded zone is all on one side of the...(Read Full Article)