Embattled dynasty comes out fighting after predators attack New York Times

Guardian Unlimited ^ | December 10, 2006 | The Observer

[mdittmar]

Beset by calls for reform from angry shareholders and a dismal stock price on Wall Street, the beleaguered New York Times Company began to fight back last week, saying it had 'no intention' of dismantling an ownership system that gives the Ochs-Sulzberger family absolute power over the media giant.

For the past century, the family has controlled the company but sharks are circling as the paper struggles to adjust to the internet and achieve market value commensurate with its place as one the world's most influential newspapers.

[mdittmar]

...the paper's managing editor, Bill Keller, struck back. "At a time when serious journalism is being downsized and hollowed out - when most papers don't have a correspondent in all of Iraq,"

We all know that reuters has only 7 non "Iraqi" journalists in all of Iraq.

So just who are these "journalists" that get their headlines splashed across every U.S. newspaper?

[the Real fifi]

My headline would be "Suckers Tired of Watching Their Investment in NYT Turn to Shit"

[starbase]

My headline: "Irrelevant Business Slowly Destroys Self"

[LdSentinal]

And as much as they may like to bash it, few really want to see the paper in the maw of voracious hedge fund managers.

I agree. I want to see the The New York Times in a graveyard.

[IronJack]

the paper struggles to adjust to the internet and achieve market value commensurate with its place as one the world's most influential newspapers.

Try to understand this: it isn't "the internet" that is destroying the New York Times. It is the New York Times. And it is no longer one of the world's most influential newspapers. Not in an era when truth is readily available with a mouse click.

THAT is what the Times -- and so many of its fellow travelers -- is having trouble adjusting to.

[oldtimer]

I bought NYT recently so I could vote against the bstrds who run it.

Little did I know I could not vote.

The leftists who run it are in the cross hairs of many, however, for varying reasons.

Meanwhile, I'll collect some dividends and wait my turn.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

It's beautiful to watch as this "once stellar" toilet paper manufacturer dies a slow, maggot filled death.

[padre35]

Perhaps the moonies could buy the NYT and actually make money while running it?

Eventually the NYT will reach a level of "hardcore readership" that likes slanted coverage and being lied to by these folks.

I will say that there has never been a better time try to start a conservative straight reporting newspaper, the country needs it and there is a market.

[popdonnelly]

Boycott the Times.

[gitmo]

Are all shares non-voting shares? What's the point of ownership?

[Londo Molari]

Bin Laden will use his millions and bail his US propaganda arm out.

[george76]

[Viking2002]

This reminds me of a smoker who is told they have lung cancer, but defiantly refuse to blame cigarettes or quit smoking.And I AM a smoker who knows better.

[popdonnelly]

"achieve market value commensurate with its place as one the world's most influential newspapers."

That's the problem. Sulzberger's actions are making it a less influential newspaper.

[SIDENET]

I hope the NYT continues its slide towards oblivion.

[Doctor Raoul]

Insiders like Pinch and Keller are the predators, sucking the life blood out of the NY Times, while the "little people" get laid off and underpaid.

[drhogan]

what i love about the hypocritical ochs/schulzburgers is that they insist that every OTHER institution should be run democratically, while they run their own propaganda empire as a family autocracy!!
i think they should have to give one tenth of the VOTING stock to each of the historically under-represented groups: e.g., palenstinian terrorists, african-anericans, southron good ol boys, army wives, long island republicans, and all the rest of us who have been excluded from their elitist, racist, and patriarchal empire.
we MUST speak truth to power !!!!

[RedRover]

Time magazine headline, Sulzberger--Will He Listen?

[KellyAdmirer]

'The Sulzbergers have all the power and, much as one might like to mock Arthur Jr, and much as he may have made some stupid decisions, they're not going to let anyone else buy it.'

Well, this is true. They'll just let him ruin it. Then, there won't be anything left to sell, and they'll all be penniless. Which suits me just fine.

[Rocky]

Pinch me.