(2003-07-31) — New York Times executive editor Bill Keller said today he has scrapped plans to hire a public editor as a “reader representative,” and instead will link the online newspaper to a network of so-called “blogs”.
Many bloggers post political and media commentary on personal web sites and often link to news stories in the Times and other news sources.
“I figured we could save some money, and get better quality by linking to blogs,” said Mr. Keller, who recently took the reins of the so-called “gray lady” after a credibility scandal toppled the paper’s former editor. “If we hire a public editor, he’ll quickly become an insider and people will think it’s just an insincere, self-serving PR move. By linking to bloggers who critique us daily, we show that we respect the free marketplace of ideas, and aren’t afraid of the heat.”
A spokesman for the network of bloggers said, “We’ll be glad to get the increased visitor traffic, and the Times readers will be glad to get the truth…for a change.”
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NY Times Links to Blogs, Scraps ‘Public Editor’ Idea
by Scott Ott · No Comments
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Tags: Media/Journalism
0 responses so far ↓
1 OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY // Jul 31, 2003 at 10:36 am
OUTSOURCING THE EDITING
Scott Ott reports that, rather than pay for a “public editor,” the NYT has decided to just post their paper on the web and let…
2 Inoperable Terran // Jul 31, 2003 at 2:29 pm
The NYT’s new plan
They don’t need an ombudsman “public editor”. They’ll just use bloggers. Heh….
3 On The Third Hand // Jul 31, 2003 at 7:42 pm
It will never happen.
But the last paragraph of this latest Scrappleface post is too true to be satire.
4 The Big Picture // Aug 5, 2003 at 1:19 am
The Times’ new plan to restore its credibility, is to print articles critical of itself
Times to Name ‘Public Editor’ to Be Readers’ Representative Seeking to mend the damage to the credibility and staff morale of The New York Times following a reporter’s extensive fabrications, the newspaper’s new executive editor today accepted the majo…