The NYT Was Very Exciting (Informally): My Favorite Moments
The New York Times has been a staple of US journalism for over a century. As content creators, we often look to the New York Times for inspiration, guidance, and ideas to improve our craft. Over the years, the NYT has had its fair share of memorable moments. I’ve compiled some of my favorite moments below.
The “He Said, She Said” Debacle
In 2012, the New York Times ran a front-page story on alleged sexual harassment by Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. The report was based on anonymous sources, and Cain categorically denied the allegations. However, the story was written in a ‘he said, she said’ style, with no attempt to verify the information.
It was an embarrassing moment for the NYT. The public criticized the newspaper for the lack of journalistic standards in reporting the story. The incident prompted the NYT to create new guidelines on using anonymous sources and verifying information before publication.
The 2016 Election Endorsement
In 2016, the NYT endorsed Hillary Clinton for president over Donald Trump. The endorsement came after months of the newspaper criticizing Trump’s campaign and policy proposals.
The endorsement was significant because the NYT has a reputation for being left-leaning, and many political pundits speculated that the paper would endorse Clinton. However, the endorsement caused a backlash from some readers who accused the paper of being biased.
The incident highlighted the challenges of endorsing political candidates in a highly polarized political environment.
The “Spanking” Op-Ed
In 2014, the NYT ran an op-ed by law professor Elizabeth Bartholet advocating for the banning of spanking. The article argued that corporal punishment was harmful to children and should be illegal.
The article was controversial, with many readers accusing the NYT of promoting a nanny state and interfering with parenting decisions. However, the article also sparked a debate on the merits of spanking and whether it was an appropriate disciplinary method.
Conclusion
The NYT has had its fair share of ups and downs. However, these moments have helped shape the newspaper into what it is today. The incidents have also highlighted the importance of journalistic standards, accuracy, and fairness in reporting.
As content creators, we can learn a lot from the NYT’s experiences. We should strive to create content that is accurate, fair, and informative. We should also be willing to learn from our mistakes and improve our craft.
