Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Judge orders The New York Times to return Project Veritas legal documents
Ruling
A Westchester Supreme Court judge ruled that The New York Times must turn over confidential legal memos it obtained and published about Project Veritas, finding that the newspaper violated founder James O’Keefe’s attorney-client privilege.
Source excerpt
Supreme Court Judge Charles Wood ruled that The Times violated Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe’s right to attorney-client privilege by publishing communications between O’Keefe and his lawyer, Benjamin Barr.
The New York Times must immediately turn over confidential legal memos that it obtained and published in a story about the conservative sting-operation media organization Project Veritas, a Westchester Supreme Court judge ruled in an order made public Friday.
2020
Lawrence Lessig sues The New York Times over interview
Lawsuit filed
Lawrence Lessig filed a defamation suit against The New York Times Company and other defendants, alleging that a headline about his interview misrepresented his remarks and harmed his reputation. The Times denied the accusations and said it planned to defend against the claim.
Company response
Denial — The New York Times
The Times, meanwhile, denies the accusations.
Denial — The New York Times
we plan to vigorously defend against it.
Denial — Time
“It’s flattering that the New York Times is concerned with the success of TIME 100 Talks, but we find their complaint to be baseless and somewhat bewildering,” the magazine said in a statement.
Denial — The New York Times
In a statement, a New York Times spokesperson said: “The Trump Campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case.”
Source excerpt
The Times, meanwhile, denies the accusations.
by Adi RobertsonJan 13, 2020, 9:30 PM UTC
He claims the headline misrepresents his interview, where he condemns the donation, but says that “if you’re going to take the money, you damn well better make it anonymous.”
2020
New York Times podcast announcement draws backlash
Public backlash
In July 2020, The New York Times announced a new podcast titled "Nice White Parents." The announcement drew criticism on social media, where critics characterized the podcast or its framing as racist or bigoted. The event is recorded as a controversy note concerning the announcement of the podcast and the public reaction to it.
The New York Times faced social-media criticism over its newly announced podcast “Nice White Parents”; critics characterized the podcast or its framing as racist or bigoted.
Source excerpt
The introduction to the new podcast did not receive the warmest welcome on social media.
"Nice White Parents," a limited series from the publication in partnership with Serial Productions, will focus on "the 60-year relationship between white parents and the public school down the block."
"This is not only incredibly bigoted, it’s also so, SO ignorant.
2020
The New York Times responds to errors in the Caliphate series
Company response
The New York Times acknowledged significant errors in its reporting about Shehroze Chaudhry and provided a correction limited to the Caliphate podcast feed, according to the article. The article says the publication had not removed the episodes or related stories.
Company response
Clarification — The New York Times
During this podcast, which afforded a correction only to listeners of the “Caliphate” podcast feed, Baquet explained that the Times had failed to investigate, fact-check, and evaluate Chaudhry’s false testimony.
Source excerpt
During this podcast, which afforded a correction only to listeners of the “Caliphate” podcast feed, Baquet explained that the Times had failed to investigate, fact-check, and evaluate Chaudhry’s false testimony.
While the New York Times acknowledged there were significant errors in its reporting of a fake Islamic terrorist, the publication has repeatedly side-stepped the opportunity to remain fully transparent and has not removed any of the episodes nor stories.
2020
The New York Times apologizes for publishing an opinion article
Company response
The New York Times apologized after employees protested the publication of an opinion article by Senator Tom Cotton calling for military action against protests, saying the article had not met its standards and should not have been published.
Company response
Apology — 《纽约时报》
《纽约时报》之后发文道歉称有关文章“没有达到我们的标准，不应该发表。”
Source excerpt
《纽约时报》之后发文道歉称有关文章“没有达到我们的标准，不应该发表。”
本周，该报800多名员工签署公开信，抗议刊登阿肯色州共和党参议员汤姆•科顿一篇就有关抗议采取军事行动的评论文章。
2019
New York Times faces criticism over whistleblower details
Public backlash
In September 2019, The New York Times faced criticism from readers, national security experts, and whistleblower-protection advocates after it published details about a whistleblower, including the individual's employer and expertise. Critics said the disclosure could compromise the individual's safety. The criticism centered on the decision to make such identifying details public rather than on any disputed fact about the whistleblower's account. The episode drew attention to the tension between news reporting and the protection of people who raise concerns through official channels.
Company response
Clarification — The New York Times
The New York Times’ executive editor, Dean Baquet, defended the publication’s decision. “The president and some of his supporters have attacked the credibility of the whistle-blower, who has presented information that has touched off a landmark impeachment proceeding,” Baquet said in a statement. “We wanted to provide information to readers that allows them to make their own judgments about whether or not he is credible.”
Source excerpt
The New York Times’ executive editor, Dean Baquet, defended the publication’s decision. “The president and some of his supporters have attacked the credibility of the whistle-blower, who has presented information that has touched off a landmark impeachment proceeding,” Baquet said in a statement. “We wanted to provide information to readers that allows them to make their own judgments about whether or not he is credible.”
The New York Times is facing criticism over its decision to publish revealing details about the whistleblower whose explosive complaint, which raised concerns about Donald Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president and the White House’s apparent attempts to cover it up, was made public on Thursday.
Readers, including those who work with or within the intelligence community, national security experts and advocates for whistleblower protection, expressed concern that the decision compromised the individual’s safety.