New York Times Appoints Standards Editor

AP | 9/10/03

[kattracks]

NEW YORK, Sep 10, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- The New York Times has appointed assistant managing editor Allan M. Siegal as its first standards editor, the newspaper reported.

Siegal, who will retain his current title, will oversee the creation of new guidelines for the use of anonymous sources, bylines and datelines, according to a story in Wednesday's edition of the Times.

In an e-mail to staff announcing the appointment Tuesday, Executive Editor Bill Keller said Siegal would be "the main internal sounding board for staff members who have doubts or complaints about the paper's content, whether already published or in the works."

The position was the recommendation of a Siegal-led committee that examined policies at the Times in the wake of the scandal surrounding Jayson Blair, a reporter who fabricated or plagiarized parts of many stories.

Siegal, 63, joined the Times as a copy boy in 1960 and worked his way up to assistant foreign editor, where he helped edit the newspaper's coverage of the Pentagon papers. He became news editor in 1977 and assistant managing editor in 1987.

[kattracks]

Hmmm.... does this mean an end to "All the ##it That Fits We Print"?

[Drango]

What? Who will have final authority over a standards issue? The Democratic National Committee or the editor? What a mess....

[Miss Marple]

Here's a little blurb you can add to your NYT list.

I personally think this is just a way to give their "unnamed sources" a stamp of approval.

[NautiNurse]

As Mom used to say...Better late than never!

[Diogenesis]

Bottom line:
ALL LIES ACCEPTABLE IF THEY SUPPORT ISLAMIC TERRORISTS AND/OR DEMOCRATS

[ArneFufkin]

I thought for sure they'd name Greg Packer, 39, of Huntington, NY.

[The Wizard]

this guy's job is to make sure GWB gets blamed for everything and that the clitoons names and fingerprints are removed

[palmer]

New York Times Appoints Standards Editor
By Jayson Blair

NEW YORK, Sep 10, 2003 - Staring across his cluttered desk, assistant managing editor Allan M. Siegal's expression turned to a frown betraying the stress of his new assignment. "Those young commie reporters better watch themselves", he exclaimed. He paused and spat into a styrofoam cup. "I don't care if they are affirmative action babies or not, they are going toe the line, or face the consequences." To dramatize his point, Mr Siegal vigorously pounded his fist on his desk, shaking and almost tipping the cup.

But Mr. Siegal's career at the Times reflects the culture that he is working against. Having joined the Times as a copy boy in 1960, he quickly worked his way up to assistant foreign editor, where he was handed the plush assignment of helping edit the newspaper's coverage of the Pentagon papers. He was fast-tracked to news editor in 1977 and assistant managing editor in 1987...

[FreedomPoster]

>>joined the Times as a copy boy in 1960

How can he not be a part of the culture that created their problems?

[DainBramage]

"I am proud to be the new Standerds Editer."

[John Beresford Tipton]

Can you say "Lipstick on a pig"?

[Timesink]

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.

[Pharmboy]

Where's the link?

[randog]

Siegal...will oversee the creation of new guidelines for the use of anonymous sources, bylines and datelines, according to a story in Wednesday's edition of the Times.

So he's going to create a manual that everyone will throw in the bottom of a desk drawer (or their trashcan) and it's business-as-usual after that. Notice there's no mention of who's going to enforce the "guidelines".

[harpo11]

In the memorable and inspiring words of the great liberal truth evader, Bill Clinton, "it all depends on the meaning of "standards".

[StarCMC]

Ok, "New York Times" and "standards" should not appear in the same sentence unless we are talking about the lack thereof!

[Lancey Howard]

Who will have final authority over a standards issue? The Democratic National Committee or the editor?

There won't be any change there. The DNC will still run the show.
All this stuff ("standards editor", etc.) is just a show - - it's ongoing damage control at the former "paper of record".

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I can hear the many NYT reporters today: "Standards? We don't need no stinkin' standards!"

[GOPJ]

The old policy:

Trashing conservatives with anonymous sources wins winks, nods and promotions.

I wonder what the new policy will be?

[GOPJ]

LOL:

Who will have final authority over a standards issue? The Democratic National Committee or the editor?