The NewsBusters Effect? Collins Out As Times Editor Two Months After Critical NB Columns Begin

NY Times/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

October 13, 2006 - 08:13

If you have a look at this NewsBusters item of mine, you'll note it is dated August 14th, 2006. It was, as noted there, the first one written after I "broke down" and subscribed to the New York Times 'Times Select' section that gives access to the work of its in-house columnists. In that historical first item, I wrote that in their pay-per-view columns, Paul Krugman and Lionel Herbert had sounded the nearly-identical theme: that the Bush administration allegedly sees terrorism as something to be "exploited."

In the ensuing weeks, I wrote no fewer than 22 more NB items critical of columns on the Times editorial page, the majority focusing on the work of the subscription-required columnists. A pretty good return on my investment, you'd have to say.

This morning, exactly two months after that first fateful column, comes news that - while couched in appropriately diplomatic language - the Times has fired the as its Editorial Page editor the predictably partisan Gail Collins - the very person who implemented the "Times Select" feature. She is replaced by current Deputy Editorial Page Editor Andrew Rosenthal. He is the son of the late Times editor Abe Rosenthal, who was known as one of the Times' more moderate voices.

So - is Collins' departure pure coincidence, or is it more evidence of . . . 'The NewsBusters Effect'? You be the judge!

Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY. View webcasts of Mark's award-winning TV show 'Right Angle' here. Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

NY Times/NewsBusters Newsbusters-Effect ping to Today show list.

[Bahbah]

The mighty power of the pen, governs, I have no doubt. :)

[Uncle Ike]

Congratulations, GLGB!!

Four more, and you'll be an "Ace"....

Fortunately, you're in a target-rich environment... ;~)

[ECM]

OK, good job :)

Now bring me the heads of Paul Krugman and that crazy b*tch and I'll see that you're canonized.

[100-Fold_Return]

Nobody knew of or read whatever whoever wrote; therefore, his sponsers closed their wallets and whoever has to seek new work.

The American Way.

[Carolinamom]

One article I read said that she is completing another book and will return in approximately 6 months to be a columnist. Demotion?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Give me a couple weeks ;-)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yes, if you go to the linked NewsBusters column, there is in turn another link to an article mentioning that she will be returning as a columnist. But this has to be seen as a demotion, and unquestionably as a removal. If Rosenthal striks a more moderate balance as editor, we should be able to conclude that the Times found Collins was going too far in her partisanship.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, Uncle Ike. It's a gold mine over there for me, I'm tellin' ya!

[mcg2000]

[Brad from Tennessee]

It has amazed me over the last couple of years of observation that the left-wing news media is far more sensitive and reactionary to criticism than is the conservative community. Agencies like Newsbusters, AIM and of course blogs like FREE REPUBLIC definitely have a real impact.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL. Is Gail saying 'd'oh!' this morning?

[6SJ7]

When do we reveal 'Times Select' as a Rovian plot? (I mean why else would the Times put all their most rabid columnists behind a pay-per-view firewall? They didn't really think people would pay for that stuff, did they??)

[Pharmboy]

Perhaps I am misunderstading her role, but I always thought that she was the one primarily responsible for the unsigned editorials of the Times. Many of them would have been too far left for The Daily Worker and one would have to believe that any American not living on West End Avenue would have a major problem with 90% of them.

I mean, even if you are a (reasonable) Democrat, the constant, high decible, multi-channel "We Hate Bush" coming from any and all over there on 43rd Street must have becaome a caricature of itself. Couple that with fewer people buying the rag and she's gone

And, they are famous for not listening to anybody in their insular world so I would err on the side of not taking your role too seriously in all of this, which is not to say you're not doing a great job--please keep up the great work!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

She was responsible for - though surely didn't write all - the editorials, but also oversaw the various opinion columns that appear.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks...she's a bit daft, if you ask me. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[mrsmith]

Andy Rosenthal is just a more successful Dem operative than Gail.

Expect the NYTimes editorials to be more fake.

Fake evidence is Andy's thing.

[johnny7]

Another fatal, dose of lead into the Dinosaur Media.

[geezerwheezer]

Is she kinfolk to Dan ratHER's producer, Mary Mapes? Both of 'em are nuttier than a fruitcake so I was wonderin'.