Times and Reporter Reach Agreement on Her Departure (Judith Miller)

New York Times ^ | November 9, 2005 | Katharine Q. Seelye

[Zeppo]

The New York Times and Judith Miller, a veteran reporter for the paper, reached an agreement today that ends her 28-year career at the newspaper and caps more than two weeks of negotiations.

Ms. Miller went to jail this summer rather than reveal a confidential source in the C.I.A. leak case. But her release from jail 85 days later and persistent questions about her actions roiled long-simmering concerns about her in the newsroom.

"We are grateful to Judy for her significant personal sacrifice to defend an important journalistic principle," said Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of The New York Times. "I respect her decision to retire from The Times and wish her well."

In a memo sent the Times staff at 3:30 p.m. today, Bill Keller, the executive editor, wrote, "In her 28 years at The Times, Judy participated in some great prize winning journalism."

Ms. Miller could not be reached for comment.

. . .

Secondly, he noted that she took issue with his assertion that "Judy seems to have misled" Phil Taubman, the Washington bureau chief, when Mr. Taubman asked her whether she had been on the receiving end of an orchestrated White House campaign.

"I continue to be troubled by that episode," Mr. Keller wrote. "But you are right that Phil himself does not contend that you misled him; and, of course, I was not a participant in the conversation between you and Phil."

Ms. Miller wrote in her letter that she was gratified that Mr. Keller "has finally clarified remarks made by him that were unsupported by fact and personally distressing."

[Zeppo]

When Drudge posted speculation that Miller would return to work at the NYT as a reporter, it just didn't seem practicable. This article has more follow-up to the he-said, she-said hubbub, but strangely nothing from Miller's former editor Abramson...

[mosquitobite]

Well Mo-Do is probably doing dances now! ;)

[Gay State Conservative]

All that time in the slammer and she was one of the last folks in DC to learn of Plame's identity.

Hopefully,she enjoyed the food there.

[Madeleine Ward]

Will we also be seeing a book from her as we have from Mapes?

[Keith in Iowa]

I wonder if she feels scorned enough to pen a nasty tell-all book...

[Southack]

Once the NY Times figured out that Miller wasn't going to body-slam VP Cheney (undeservedly), they fired her.

She was only their heroine so long as she went to jail **and** threatened to damage the White House.

Instead, she nailed a Democrat (Scooter Libby).

[oceanview]

if she does, she won't "tell-all" the truth about anything, so don't get you hopes up. her book will be a work of fiction.

[Zeppo]

Here is a link to the Keller memo to the staff: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/business/09text-miller.html

An excerpt:

I know you’ve been distressed by the memo I sent to the staff about things I wish I’d done differently in the course of this ordeal. Let me be clear on two points you’ve raised.

First, you are upset with me that I used the words “entanglement” and “engagement” in reference to your relationship with Scooter Libby. Those words were not intended to suggest an improper relationship. I was referring only to the series of interviews through which you ­ and the paper ­ became caught up in an epic legal controversy.

. . .

[clintonh8r]

Pinch to Judy: "Here's $5,000,000. Don't write a book."

[princess leah]

Truly a case of "eating their own" come to life at the NYTimes!

[The_Victor]

Better for Miller anyway. She doesn't need to sully her name by associating with the NY Times.

[speedy]

Judith Miller was not by a longshot the worst reporter at the NY Times. In fact she seemed like one of the few who ever gave Conservatives a fair shake now and then. I would like to see some full-scale vengeance on her part -- we'd love to know a little more about the inner workings of Pinch's little empire, and she would have a ready-made audience.

[clintonh8r]

When do we get to see the list of power brokers she is said to have slept with?

[Zeppo]

Note to self: be on the lookout for the promised "letter to the editor" from Miller explaining her position - the one that Gail Collins refused to print on the Op-Ed page, but apparently reluctantly agreed to print as a letter to the editor.

[oceanview]

you will never get the truth from her. the basic truth for example that all of the 3 reporters involved in the Wilson affair, knew the identity of his wife BEFORE talking with Rove and Libby about it. when I see her admit to that, I will change my tune about her. and Miller likely knows alot more about the inner workings at CIA that cooked this whole Niger trip up.

[VRWCTexan]

Is there any doubt - she could probably have a best seller if it gets correctly "hyped"

[RetiredArmy]

Reach agreement: Meaning, we give you big $$$ to keep your John F. Kerry mouth shut.

[rockthecasbah]

"we'd love to know a little more about the inner workings of Pinch's little empire, and she would have a ready-made audience"

Now that would be a silver lining to this whole sordid affair.

[Zeppo]

The Miller letter to the editor is now online.

See the FR thread at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1519244/posts, or the actual letter at http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/10/opinion/l10miller.html

[dennisw]

Judith Miler was one of the good guys. She reported from the Middle East for years. Which is tough for a woman. I'm reading her fine book on the area. She was just at the grand opening of a super blog with conservatives