Patterico's Pontifications

1/2/2018

A.G. Sulzberger Assures Readers The NYT Will Help People Think For Themselves, Headline Says Differently

Filed under: General — Dana @ 4:12 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Ushering in a new year, yesterday’s New York Times published a note of reassurance to readers from its new publisher, A. G. Sulzberger. After noting that the vision of the paper has been to “be fiercely independent, dedicated to journalism of the highest integrity and devoted to the public welfare,” Sulzberger vowed to continue the mission on his watch. He also noted the challenges facing today’s media:

Misinformation is rising and trust in the media is declining as technology platforms elevate clickbait, rumor and propaganda over real journalism, and politicians jockey for advantage by inflaming suspicion of the press. Growing polarization is jeopardizing even the foundational assumption of common truths, the stuff that binds a society together.

Sulzberger also vowed to fight back against these external forces:

The Times will continue to resist polarization and groupthink by giving voice to the breadth of ideas and experiences — because we believe journalism should help people think for themselves. The Times will hold itself to the highest standards of independence, rigor and fairness — because we believe trust is the most precious asset we have. The Times will do all of this without fear or favor — because we believe truth should be pursued whoever it leads.

This is particularly amusing as the same New York Times did anything but encourage people to think for themselves, or evidence independent and objective reporting with this manipulative headline that attempts to blame the protesters in Iran for the current unrest, and suggests that it is only because of the protesters’ lack of willingness to submit [to the tyrannical leadership] that has forced the government to vigorously clamp down on any freedom-seekers. Like there was no other option for those in power to choose other than stomp out the unrest:

Untitled

In the name holding itself to the “highest standards of independence, rigor and fairness,” perhaps they should have gone with a far more accurate headline:

Untitled

From the get-go, the article places the burden for peace on the protesters and not the repressive Iranian regime that rules with a cruel and forceful hand that withholds the very freedoms for which protesters are risking their lives to attain. After all, since “reformer” and “moderate” Rouhani has publicly called for calm, it’s obviously the protesters’ fault for sowing continuing chaos in the streets. I mean, if they really cared about peace, they would be submitting to their leaders, right?:

Ignoring pleas for calm from President Hassan Rouhani, Iranian protesters took to the streets in several cities for the fifth day on Monday as pent-up economic and political frustrations boiled over in the broadest display of discontent in years.

The Iranian government responded with conciliatory words from Mr. Rouhani, but also a widening security clampdown — and a pledge late Monday to crack down even harder.”

On top of a seeming effort to soften President Rouhani and the government, as well as place the burden of change on the protesters, the protests are being presented as a pushback against the country’s floundering economy. However, according to reports, the protests are about far more than just that. Shocking, I know:

The coverage of the protests has been a lesson in fake news. CNN and the New York Times have provided minimal coverage, and what little they did publish and broadcast had a decidedly pro-regime narrative. Our ABC wasn’t much better, highlighting a pro-government rally and blaming “Iran’s weak economy” for the protests. However, footage from rallies held around the country shows people chanting against the mullahs, Islamic rule and the Basij, a much-feared paramilitary arm of the Revolutionary Guard. These are not merely economic protests.

A significant number of Iranians yearn for the life they once knew, particularly the freedom that vanished so quickly. Those too young to know anything other than the Islamic Republic also thirst for the democracy, liberty and dignity that so many take for granted in the West.

It takes heroic levels of bravery for oppressed people, particularly women, in an Islamic republic to protest. They deserve our support.

Apparently, the heroic level of bravery it would take for Sulzberger’s paper to confront true evil, objectively and unhesitatingly, is missing in action. Still.

–Dana

55 Responses to “A.G. Sulzberger Assures Readers The NYT Will Help People Think For Themselves, Headline Says Differently”

  1. Hello.

    Dana (023079)

  2. unlike the execrably useless p.o.s. Rex Tillerson, at least the NYT’s acknowledged that there are indeed protests happening

    happyfeet (28a91b)

  3. These are not merely economic protests.

    When (as in Iran, China, etc.) the state is the economy, economic protests are political protests.

    And I hope these are mainly economic protests, because a simple crackdown won’t stop them, but would stop political protests.

    And if you doubt the power of economic protests, refresh your memories of Paris 1789.

    Kishnevi (f2c02a)

  4. Great post, Dana. It would be neat if you could be the Times’ guest publisher so they could get a new perspective.

    DRJ (15874d)

  5. Not to mention a lot better writing.

    DRJ (15874d)

  6. Is there no cognitive dissonance in the static of conservative applause in anti-authoritarianism?

    Revolutionary Tyranny! Is that it?

    Admiral Ben Bunsen Burner (6f6c0d)

  7. They should call it the duranty tour:
    foreignpolicy.com/2015/12/04/irans-fellow-travelers-at-the-new-york-times

    narciso (d1f714)

  8. The mere fact that the “Newspaper of Record” has to proclaim it intends to begin pursuing truth says volumes about how the radical left has insidiously corrupted journalism like everything else it touches from education to entertainment. Of course back when Duranty was praising communism in the Soviet Union whilst they were murdering 20 million people thinking folks knew the Times was full if sh!t. It’s one of the things my daddy taught me at a young age.

    Rev.Hoagie (6bbda7)

  9. Dana, do you mean to tell us that First Black President Barrack Hussein Obama’s historic and unprecedented milestones in our relations with Iran did not result in moderate reformers ruling the country with peace, justice and prosperity and liberty for all?

    nk (dbc370)

  10. I laughed and laughed after I read this post, as it came to me that Never Trumpers are those who were most despised by Keith Laumer’s Jame Retief. They think that no doubt a well groomed Yalie or Harvardian, well spoken too, perfect manners, can sort this out properly. Perhaps an Obama appointed ambassador Earlyworm could speak to the Iranians thusly:

    ‘A most perceptive observation, Chester,” Earlyworm said, bestowing a 24-w (Gracious Condescension) leavened with a hint of 7-y (Expectation of Great Things in Due Course) on the lucky bureaucrat, at which his fellow underlings around the table were quick to bombard him with approbation, ranging from Faintlady’s 12.7-x (Knew You Had It In You, Fella) to Felix’s more restrained 119-a (We’re All Pulling For You, Lad), to which he responded with a shy 3-v (Modest Awareness of Virtue).

    “In fact,” Earlyworm interjected a Cold Return to Objectivity (91-s) into the lightning interplay of ritual grimacing …’

    Fred Z (05d938)

  11. W was Yale and Harvard but that didn’t carry any water when he turned down this knave:

    https://iranmediafocus.com/2013/01/15/r-e-s-p-e-c-t-is-earned/

    narciso (d1f714)

  12. Of course it wee sy harsh then at the times.
    https://msuweb.montclair.edu/~furrg/hershciairan.html

    Who sought to drive the knife in,

    narciso (d1f714)

  13. Very solid and apt post, Dana — thank you for writing it!

    Beldar (fa637a)

  14. Donald Trump is to Jaime Retief as W.C. Fields is to Cary Grant.

    nk (dbc370)

  15. The only thing that Trump and Retief have in common is that their characters are fictional constructs existing only in the minds of their fans.

    nk (dbc370)

  16. @16. You’ve been watching TCM. Best name: A. Pismo Clam

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  17. I don’t recall the times posture re the Bolsheviks revolution but they soft pedaled the holomodor (duranty) the holocaust, the Cuban revolution, the Chinese one, made excuses for
    andropov the sandinistas, they pushed ray bonner out before the tongue bath of the fmln, am I missing anyone, ah yes arafat and chavez

    narciso (d1f714)

  18. =yawn= Since 1918, The New York Times daily newspaper has won 122 Pulitzer Prizes.

    When you get one, get back to us.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  19. Were Matthews duranty and Salisbury along with Friedman part of that

    narciso (d1f714)

  20. I’m a big Keith Laumer fan and I do not like Jaime Retief’s name taken in vain by Groaci.

    nk (dbc370)

  21. I am not surprised by the Iranian government’s reaction, as this is just what governments do. Most of the time they get their way without resorting to guns, but the threat of guns is always there.

    The only way things change is if the people with the guns balk. I’m guessing the Iranians have enough reliable thugs.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  22. Well, if you look at the NYT coverage of Kent State, it probably says “Rioting at Kent State Ends After Authorities Intervene”

    Right?

    Kevin M (752a26)

  23. A significant number of Iranians yearn for the life they once knew, particularly the freedom that vanished so quickly.

    Judging by later events, I’d guess the Shah fell because he insisted on women’s rights. Talk about The Patriarchy. But the so-called feminists are nowhere to be found.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  24. @22. It’s WC Fields night on TCM- first runner up: Mahatma Kane Jeeves; tie for second runner up: Larson E. Whipsnade & Egbert Souse.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  25. That and land reform which worked about as well in south Vietnam, they tried a pilot program in El Salvador but was discontinued

    narciso (d1f714)

  26. The Times will do all of this without fear or favor — because we believe truth should be pursued whoever it leads.”

    HahahhahahahhahHahahahahaha

    Mahatma Kane Jeeves harkin (8256c3)

  27. That’s Sousé.

    Mahatma Kane Jeeves harkin (8256c3)

  28. @30. Accent grave over the ‘e,’ eh.

    ‘It’s A Gift’ … truly is.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  29. ‘“It’s A Gift’ … truly is.”

    Thanks for the heads up, just caught the negotiation scene at the end. Classic.

    Just once I wish TCM would show Fields’ Mississippi, with Bing Crosby as the Notorious Col. Steele, “The Singing Killer”. One of my favorites.

    Mahatma Kane Jeeves harkin (8256c3)

  30. @33. ‘Mississippi’ – agreed. That whole ‘La Fong’ porch swing segment w/t ice pick etc., is simply hilarious– and the cussing ‘code words’ in all are priceless nuggets to find. ‘Never Give A Sucker An Even Break’ is a gem. ‘The Bank Dick’ as well. Perfect time of year for laughs like this.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  31. “I didn’t smoke until I was nine.” — Fields to a bunch of kids in The Bank Dick

    Imagine a movie having that line in it today. There would be Congressional hearings and a March on Washington.

    JVW (42615e)

  32. Great post. Wonderful to see such stuff.

    Patterico (115b1f)

  33. You know, the NYT runs some pretty profitable tours of Iran for its well-heeled urban sophisticate clientele. I wonder how much that impacts their willingness to tell the truth about the mullahs.

    JVW (42615e)

  34. @35. JVW, ain’t that the truth?! Imagine the outrage if his line ‘there’s an Ethopian in the fuel supply…’ was ever used.

    DCSCA (797bc0)

  35. 35.
    Depends on what was smoked.
    Tobacco–full Inquisition
    Marijuana–government grant to expand an innovative social program.

    Kishnevi (d7d2b1)

  36. He had better clear this with Carlos Slim first.

    Bugg (08921e)

  37. yawn= Since 1918, The New York Times daily newspaper has won 122 Pulitzer Prizes

    You talk like the Pulitzers are a mark of quality.

    Even in classical music. Have you ever heard of Du Yun? She won last year for an opera called Angel’s Bone. I’m seriously into opera and classical music, and I never heard of her.

    Kishnevi (d7d2b1)

  38. Carlos slim is bailing out the times, like the transports from the raddus

    narciso (d1f714)

  39. Just like this early offering didn’t get nearly the attention:

    http://independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/in-search-of-klingsor-by-jorge-volpi-trans-kristina-cordero-105880.html

    But his subsequent work which isnt nearly as ambitious.

    narciso (d1f714)

  40. Like this other one:
    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jun/05/secret-history-costaguana-gabriel-vasquez

    Whose followups were not as impressive

    narciso (d1f714)

  41. That and land reform which worked about as well in south Vietnam, they tried a pilot program in El Salvador but was discontinued

    The only real way to do “land reform” is a democratic society is through taxation, such as a graduated land tax. The way the usually do it, it goes like this: “My supporters want your land. Move or get shot.” They aren’t always so polite.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  42. Apparently, the heroic level of bravery it would take for Sulzberger’s paper to confront true evil, objectively and unhesitatingly, is missing in action. Still.

    Sulzberger would support Satan himself if the Democrat Party would be embarrassed otherwise. “Evil” to Sulzberger is anything that helps a Republican.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  43. You talk like the Pulitzers are a mark of quality.

    My take can be found in The Wire, Season 5.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  44. Imagine a movie having that line in it today.

    Probably the most UNINTENTIONALLY non-PC movie I’ve ever seen is “Charlie Chan in Egypt” co-starring Stepin Fetchit. It’s really quite amazingly offensive.

    Kevin M (752a26)

  45. I don’t understand why people write or talk about the NYT? Let them be and they will drown.

    mg (8cbc69)

  46. The NYT wants elections untainted by foreign meddling, but won’t support laws to keep illegals from voting.

    mg (8cbc69)

  47. In the 1950s, the pressmen at the Times used the Times motto “All the news that is fit to print” by saying “All the news that fits.” The Times was just as untrustworthy then as now but, because they saw themselves as “The Journal of Record,” if you read carefully you would find the real news buried in the middle of most articles. Also, the Times would provide a printed version of important hearings. What was amusing was that the printed version often contradicted the version as reported by the Time’s own reporters.

    Michael Keohane (947544)

  48. The pedigree of the NY Times (The Gray Lady) has always been questionable. It has been establsihed that early on it was a shill (for the Russians). See Walter Duranty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Duranty

    Such was confirmed again by Bob Kohn’s book JOURNALISTIC FRAUD: How The New York Times Distorts the News and Why It Can No Longer Be Trusted (2003) https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/journalistic-fraud-how-the-new-york-times-distorts-the-news-and-why-it-can-no-longer-be-trus .

    But with the subject blog here exposing AG Sulzbeger’s/NY Times’ continued hypocrisy, followed by this 1/2/18 NY Times’ piece by Glenn Spencer and Peter Fritsch “The Republican’s Fake Investigations” – https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/opinion/republicans-investigation-fusion-gps.html – the evidence is clear that The Gray Lady is still just whoring herself out and turning the same ol’ tricks (see 1/3/18 Sundance piece “Fusion GPS Tries, and Fails, To Distance Themselves From FBI FISA Origin…” – https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/01/03/fusion-gps-tries-and-fails-to-distance-themselves-from-fbi-fisa-origin/ ). Here is the operative paragraph by Spencer and Fritsch: “The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign. Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation. The intelligence committees have known for months that credible allegations of collusion between the Trump camp and Russia were pouring in from independent sources during the campaign. Yet lawmakers in the thrall of the president continue to wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation.”

    “… wage a cynical campaign to portray us as the unwitting victims of Kremlin disinformation.” ? WOW! They were willful participants – if not the instigators of this cabal – and got paid well for it!

    WE (America) is getting close to the jig being up on the Times, the Clintons, the Obamas, the Deep State, the Dems and the RINO Repubs. And the irony – they are all getting hung on their own petards – they all did it to themselves. GLZ.

    Gary L. Zerman (ab669e)

  49. 51: “In the 1950s, the pressmen at the Times used the Times motto “All the news that is fit to print” by saying “All the news that fits.” The Times was just as untrustworthy then as now but, because they saw themselves as “The Journal of Record,”

    Ever since the Times’ excuse (post-Scalise shooting) for re-flinging the smear that Sarah Palin was responsible for the Giffords shooting, I have used it as their new motto:

    “It was late in the day and our deadlines were looming,”

    harkin (8256c3)

  50. “Since 1918, The New York Times daily newspaper has won 122 Pulitzer Prizes”

    So what the Times did many decades ago, by editors and journalists who are long dead, is to the credit of the current crew?

    Bored Lawyer (998177)

  51. @54. “April 10, 2017 – The New York Times won its first Pulitzer Prize in 1918, for its coverage of World War I. On Monday, nearly a century later, The Times won three more prizes, bringing its total to 122.”

    Do step away from the bong.

    DCSCA (797bc0)


Powered by WordPress.

Page loaded in: 0.1045 secs.