Posted on 03/17/2004 11:22:33 AM PST by Pikamax
http://www.mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2004_03_14_mpetrelis_archive.html#107938116393760600
Monday, March 15, 2004
March 15, 2003
Catherine Mathis Vice President of Corporate Communications The New York Times New York, NY Dear Ms. Mathis:
As a new shareholder in the New York Times Company and reader of the Times, I am gravely concerned about the paper’s commitment to principled journalism in today’s world.
The Times’ code of conduct, as laid out in the Ethical Journalism handbook that was revised in January 2003, explicitly prohibits staff from making political donations.
“Staff members may not themselves give money to, or raise money for, any political candidate or election cause. Given the ease of Internet access to public records of campaign contributors, any political giving by a times staff member would carry a great risk of feeding a false impression that the paper is taking sides,” states the code. [1]
After reading this rule, I searched Federal Election Commission records on the web for Times staff and experienced dismay, seeing that dozens of staff members made political donations over more than two decades. [2]
Focal points of staff FEC files:
-- Most recent donations: Michael H. Sussman, web producer, donated in December 2003, Sarah Lyall, London bureau, gave in September 2003. While Janet Maslin, book critic, and John Rockwell, music critic, wrote out checks in March 2003.
-- Number of Pulitzer Prize awardees: Two. Barry Bearak, 2002 winner for international reporting; and Paul Goldberger, awarded a prize in 1984 for criticism.
-- Six people contributed to the Democratic National Committee.
-- Two members gave to a Green Party candidate.
-- One donated to the Republican National Committee, back in 1992.
-- Number who chipped in for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate campaign: 4.
-- Only two staff members wrote checks for Sen. Charles Schumer.
The paper’s code of conduct, of course, does not apply to the extended Sulzberger family. However, I must point out family members’ donations because they listed the New York Times as their employer on FEC forms. Contributions from Sulzberger relatives illustrate the breadth of political giving on the part of people connected with the paper.
A few highlights of the family’s contributions:
-- Most recent donation: On February 3, 2003, from Cathy F. Sulzberger.
-- Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., wrote out a check for $500 in September 1999 to the Handgun Control Voter Education Fund.
-- Single largest donor: Marion S. Heiskell; sister of Arthur Sulzberger, Sr.
In the Times’ Guidelines on Integrity, staff members are to “do nothing that might erode reader’s faith and confidence in our news column. This means that staff members should be vigilant in avoiding any activity that might pose an actual or apparent conflict of interest and thus threaten the newspaper’s ethical standing.” [3]
The FEC files, in my opinion, clearly show the Times has not vigorously enforced a key provision of the code of conduct, especially for the four staff members who donated to politicians after the code was revised in January 2003.
I ask that an investigation immediately begin to determine if the staff members listed below broke company standards in giving to politicians and causes.
A prompt reply is requested.
Regards,
Michael Petrelis San Francisco, CA Ph: 415-621-6267 Sources:
1. http://www.nytco.com/company-properties-times-coe.html
2. http://www.tray.com
3. http://www.nytco.com/company-properties-times-integrity.html
^^
[Key: (D) = Democrat, (G) = Green, (P-C) = Pro-Choice, (R) = Republican.]
PAST AND CURRENT TIMES EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FEC DONATIONS
Ahmad-Taylor, Tyrone O. 06/24/92 Clinton for President Committee (D) $1,000
Araton, Harvey; Sports reporter 05/17/02 Carden for Congress $250
Arenson, Karen W.; Education reporter 07/16/02 Friends of Scott Stringer (D) $1,000 08/22/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $1,000 06/22/95 Clinton/Gore 96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000 08/29/94 Robb for the Senate (D) $500
Baker, Diane 03/16/98 Stephanie Tubbs Jones for US Congress (D) $250 02/10/98 Ferraro for Senate 98 (D) $2,000
Bearak, Barry Leon; New Delhi bureau, 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner (Married to Celia Dugger) 07/17/00 Dugger for US Senate (G) $250
Binder, David; Washington bureau 11/18/99 Bill Bradley for President Inc (D) $500
Blinkhorn, Ann 02/16/96 Kennedy for Senate 94 (D) $1,000
Borkowski, Monica C.; Washington bureau researcher 05/14/02 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250 02/14/01 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250 07/20/99 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250
Brengle, Katherine 06/30/00 DNC Services Committee Inc (D) $1,000
Brusseau, Antoine 08/11/00 DNC Services Corporation (D) $200
Burros, Donald 10/10/85 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc. (P-C) $500
Burros, Marion; Food writer 10/10/85 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $500 03/07/84 Mondale for President Committee Inc (D) $1,000
Cohen, Daniel H. 10/21/98 Schumer 98 (D) $250 06/30/97 Schumer 98 (D) $500
Costello, Robert A. 03/19/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $950
Curtis, Charlotte; Society columnist, deceased 10/19/82 Bob Shamanksy for Congress Committee $500 08/19/80 Bob Shamansky for Congress Committee $500
Dobrzynski, Judith H.; Foreign correspondent 02/14/96 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000 04/12/95 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000
Domizio, Mike 09/28/92 Republican National Committee (R) $200
Dugger, Celia W.; New Delhi bureau (Married to Barry Bearak) 07/17/00 Dugger for US Senate $250
Flippen, Alan D.; Project planner 11/16/00 DNC Services Committee Inc (D) $500
Gefter, Philip; Photo editor 03/22/99 DNC Non-Federal Individual (D) $250
Goldberger, Paul; Music critic, 1984 Pulitzer Prize winner 11/09/95 Clinton/Gore 96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000
Gould, Carole 06/30/97 Feldman for Congress $250
Gruson, Sydney; Foreign correspondent, deceased 11/15/91 Wilder for President Committee (D) $250 05/19/87 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $1,000 03/24/87 Friends of Gary Hart 1988 Inc (D) $1,000 03/05/84 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $500 07/26/83 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $500 03/04/83 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $500 06/27/80 Javits Campaign Committee (R) $500 05/02/80 Hart for Senate Campaign Committee Inc (D) $250
Innelli, Frank 11/20/89 John Innelli for Congress $1,000
Kaplan, Andrea R.; NYT Co.’s Women’s Magazine 10/23/92 New York State Democratic Committee (D) $200
Knowles , Joseph 10/18/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton for US Senate Committee Inc (D) $200
Lyall, Sarah; London bureau 09/29/03 Joe Torsella for Congress (D) $2,000
Maslin, Janet; Book critic 03/31/03 Dean for America (D) $500
Medenica, Gordon 03/25/97 Friends of Houghton (R) $500
Molyneaux, Michael 04/27/99 Friends of Tom Byrne $250 10/01/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $250 10/01/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $250
Morris, Olin F.; New York Times Broadcasting Group 09/06/00 Marion Berry for Congress (D) $500 08/24/99 Ed Bryant for Congress (R) $200 02/22/95 Alexander for President Inc (R) $1,000
Moyler, Freeman 04/17/94 Committee to Elect Al Sharpton (D) $1,000 05/22/92 Committee to Elect Al Sharpton (D) $1,000
Newhouse, Nancy R. 01/27/98 Schumer 98 (D) $250
Richards, David B. 10/19/94 Ben Jones for Congress Committee (D) $250
Rockwell, John; Music critic 03/07/03 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $2,500 02/04/02 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $1,000 05/24/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee Inc (D) $1,000 03/23/00 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $750 02/24/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $1,000 06/08/98 Bayley for Congress 98 $500 02/23/98 Bayley Senate 98 $500 04/17/88 New Yorkers for Jesse Jackson 88 (D) $500 01/09/80 Brown for President 80 (D) $1,000
Salembier, Valerie 04/20/94 Nita Lowey for Congress (D) $500
Shaff, Marian L. 10/24/94 Kennedy for Senate (D) $1,000
Sussman, Michael H.; Web producer 12/07/03 Dean for America (D) $250
Thomas, Robert McG, Jr.; Obituaries writer, deceased 02/06/89 Friends of Sam Beard for the US Senate $250
Vickers, Marcia 10/29/96 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C)) $300
Voereker, John 06/16/94 Tom Duane for Congress (D) $250
Wade, Betsy; Travel writer 0/14/01 Diane E. Watson for Congress (D) $383
Wayne, D. Leslie 10/02/95 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $300
Ypsilantis, Eleftherios 02/25/92 Tsongas Committee Inc (D) $300
Zane, Peder 06/03/96 Brian Steel for Congress $711
posted by Michael 12:06 PM
SULZBERGER FAMILY MEMBERS’ DONATIONS
Fuhrman, Carol Fox; Arthur Sr.’s second wife 10/05/1992 November Victory '92-New York $1,000 06/16/1988 George Bush for President Inc Compliance (R) $1,000
Golden, Michael; Ruth Holmberg’s son 12/01/93 Senate Victory 94 $1,000 05/14/93 Friends of Jim Sasser $250 11/30/92 Moynihan Committee (D) $500
Golden, Stephen; Ruth Holmberg’s son 06/10/97 Schumer 98 (D) $500
Heiskell, Marion S.; Iphigene's daughter 07/18/00 Serrano for Congress (D) $500 10/22/98 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $1,000 05/06/98 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $1,000 10/15/96 Dan Williams for Congress $250 09/19/96 Dan Williams for Congress $250 06/28/96 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $250 03/12/96 Minnick for Senate (D) $1,000 03/12/96 Minnick for Senate (D) $1,000 12/30/95 Reed Committee $250 08/26/94 Tony Smith for Congress $500 11/14/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate (D) (-$1,000 Refunded) 09/30/92 Tony Smith for US Senate $500 08/19/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate $1,000 07/14/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate $1,000 09/27/91 John Glenn for Senate Committee (D) $1,000 04/25/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Committee (D) $1,000 04/25/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Committee (D) $1,000 02/21/90 Yates for Congress Committee $1,000 09/20/88 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000 04/21/88 Dukakis for President Committee Inc (D) $1,000 06/25/85 Moynihan Committee Inc (D) $500 06/27/80 Anderson for President Committee (I) $500
Holmberg, Ruth; Iphigene’s daughter 07/22/02 Bob Clement for United States Senate (D) $1,000 10/06/00 Tenn. Democratic Victory 2000 – Fed Acct (D) $5,000 10/04/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $700 10/04/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $700 09/19/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $300 05/26/00 DNC Services Corporation (D) $5,000 02/26/99 Gore 2000 Inc (D) $1,000 07/22/96 Tennessee Democratic Victory ’96 (D) $5,000 12/01/95 Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000 10/24/84 Jim Hunt Committee (D) $500
Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs; Iphigene’s son 03/06/02 Friends of Houghton (R) $500 08/15/97 Friends of Houghton (R) $500 10/22/96 Friends of Houghton (R) $250 02/02/95 New York Republican County Committee (R) $1,000 07/29/94 Friends of Houghton (R) $500 12/03/93 Senate Victory 94 $1,000 09/16/92 Terry Sanford for US Senate (D) $500 08/20/92 Friends of Houghton (R) $500 04/03/86 Terry Sanford for US Senate (D) $500
Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs, Jr.; Iphigene’s grandson 09/28/99 Handgun Control Voter Education Fund $500
Sulzberger, Cathy; Arthur Sr.’s adopted daughter 02/03/04 Van Hollen for Congress (D) $250 11/04/02 Van Hollen for Congress (D) $500 10/08/02 Citizens for Harkin (D) $250 07/22/02 Citizens for Harkin (D) $250 07/28/98 Elizabeth Kelley for Congress $200
Sulzberger, Iphigene Ochs; the matriarch 11/07/88 Christopher Shay for Congress Committee (R) $500 07/07/87 Christopher Shay for Congress Committee (R) $500 06/08/86 Clark Abt for US Senate $1,000 09/10/85 Clark Abt for US Senate $1,000
Sulzberger, Judith F.; Iphigene’s daughter 10/29/92 Clinton/Gore 92 General Election Compliance Fund (D) $1,000 09/24/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $2,000 06/24/92 Clinton for President Committee (D) $1,000 06/29/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $1,000 06/06/90 Republican Pro-Choice PAC (R) $350
posted by Michael 11:59 AM
Dear Mr. Petrelis,
The New York Times newspaper's Ethical Journalism guidelines went into effect in January 2003 and relate only to members of the News and Editorial Departments, not members of the Sulzberger family who do not work at The New York Times or employees in other areas of The New York Times Company.
The contributions you have listed below, with only a few exceptions, were made before the guidelines went into effect or by people to whom the guidelines do not apply. In the few instances where this is not the case, the journalists, have been reminded of the guidelines.
Sincerely,
Catherine Mathis http://www.mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2004_03_14_mpetrelis_archive.html#107947397298999806
VP, Corporate Communications The New York Times Company
posted by Michael 1:52 PM
LOL! Outstanding post. If you ever find out if any action was taken against the "few exceptions," I would like to be informed. Although, I am sure any action will probably consist of a memo telling the offender to be more discreet.
Congressman Billybob
A false impression? Delusional.
As I understand it, there was a policy in place which was only revised in January 2003. Yet it was evidently not effective or was simply ignored because the researcher found donations covering over TWO DECADES!
So, in January 2003 the laughable "policy" was revised. Despite that, the researcher still found that there were people violating the policy. Now, the Times asserts that some people are not covered by the policy. As to those were WERE covered by it, and who VIOLATED it, the Times helpfully reminded them of the policy. No harm, no foul. We are dealing with liberal or leftist TIMES crapheads who don't give a .... about any steenking policy.
But, I will be magnanimous here. The TIMES employees and management should STFU and go ahead and donate to their heart's content. There is nothing they can do or say that will convince me in the near future that they are anything but biased boot-licking flea-infested lap dogs, or poodles, of the DNC.
I actually disagree with the notion that the NYT are lap dogs of the DNC. Their loyalty is to communist philosophy. They only advocate for the DNCas a step towards that end.
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