The New York Times’ New Standard for Acceptable Op-Eds
5th June 2020
After initially defending publication, the Times now claims the op-ed “did not meet our standards.” The op-ed was the result of a “rushed editorial process,” the paper adds.
But James Dao, the Times’ deputy editorial page editor, says that several editors saw the op-ed before it was published — “including one on the masthead: me.” Dao also says the op-ed was fact-checked. Thus, claims about a “rushed editorial process” and failure to “meet standards” are rubbish.
Dao gets to the heart of the matter when he states he is “sorry” that the op-ed had “this kind of impact on my colleagues.” This, then, is the Times’ new standard for op-eds: They must not offend lefty staff members.
My, what a surprise. Aren’t you surprised? I’m sure surprised.