School for Scoundrels: NYT Teaches Reporters How to Destroy Records

Newsbusters ^ | September 16 | Al Brown

[Halfmanhalfamazing]

The Fitzpatrick Plame investigation has spurred the New York Times into examining how their reporters conduct themselves. Apparently, the Gray Lady wants her staff to act more like terrorists and drug dealers. Reporters are being told to delete emails, destroy notes, and use disposable cell phones in order to stymie future investigations.

[Condor51]

What I get out of this is that the NY Slimes wants to became a 'legitimate' version of ScrappleFace.

(Notes. Notes? What notes? We just make this sh*t up.)

[MCCRon58]

The media will only hold itself as responsible and accountable as their customers demand. As a Trucker, I travel across the country and place a little yellow dot label on each machine owned by the "yellow" press. So if you see a little yellow dot posted on the top of a machine, be aware, before you buy it, you are wasting your money. You might as well purchase the National Enquirer, or Workers Weekly World. The factual integrity of both will be similar.

i.e., don't waste your money.

[Chode]

truth is dead. TRUTHYNESS is what counts now...

[osideplanner]

Totally agree. I was in a management meeting where the consultant suggested ethics training for managers. I said "Wouldn't it be easier to just promote people we knew who were ethical." The room got quiet and we moved on.

[rawcatslyentist]

>"What I get out of this is that the NY Slimes wants to became a 'legitimate' version of ScrappleFace."

No way! Scrappleface is actually believeable if you dont look at the source!

[freepatriot32]

How are they still even in business? Even new york ultra lib subscribers have to be about fed up with the old grey whore right about now

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[pieceofthepuzzle]

There is an opportunity here. An internet-based news service that is predicated on transparency and fact-checking, with multiple levels of story complexity available, plus the ability for readers to add their own investigative findings (also transparently), could be well received.

On another level, the time has come to demand that all news stories, and editorials, be accompanied by conflict of interest statements (e.g. the reporter or editorialist discloses that he/she has donated to the DNC, ACLU etc.). This is required now in biomedical research. Why should it not be required for the news media? Bias is bias.

If a physician can't provide unbiased medical care because he/she received a pen from a drug company, why should it be assumed that a reporter that gives thousands of dollars to the democratic party can report without bias on political issues? The time has come for sweeping changes. The future of our country and liberty depend upon it.

[ChildOfThe60s]

I suggest they find another line of work.

What evidence suggests that any of these people are even capable of being productive members of society in other endeavors?

[EGPWS]

Why should it not be required for the news media? Bias is bias.

Because the MSM doesn't want their bias known to those who lack the ability to see the bias and will use the 1st amendment to support their biased reporting.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

The New York "Slimes", what a rag! Their cred dried up and blew away in the fading years of the Clinton administration. Nasty old woodpulp media, even the fish resent it.

[r-q-tek86]

Snakes can't be taught to walk.

Thanks for the new tagline.

[ClaireSolt]

DEMAND accountability. They are immune. Haven't you noticed? And good luck, if you try to sue.

[ClaireSolt]

Do you favor the brand of ethics that condones doing whatever one chooses?

[Bernard]

The answer to any question about any Washington scandal from now on is, "Richard Armitage."

Who leaked this? Richard Armitage.

Who hired Craig Livingstone? Richard Armitage.

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Richard Armitage. (Wait a minute - different fictional line.)

[mugs99]

This is unbelievable!
Just put it in perspective.

"If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell the country for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press. We are the tools and vassals of the rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes. " - John Swinton, the former Chief of Staff at the New York Times, called "The Dean of His Profession" by other newsmen, when asked to give a toast before the prestigious New York Press Club.

[an amused spectator]

Media Shenanigans ping!

"Apparently, the Gray Lady wants her staff to act more like terrorists and drug dealers".

So what's new? ;-)

[Dont Mention the War]

Reporters are being told to delete emails

One SEC complaint will put the NYT Co. into sheer hell if this is true.

[devolve]

[bannie]

Lessons learned from the Billyblythe Clinton School of Cheats...Professor Sandy Burger, Lecturer.

More of the fish rotting from the head down...

[potlatch]

Beautiful post devolve!