Bennet's remarks came as he was facing intense criticism--both internally and externally--for bringing on right-wing climate denier Bret Stephens as a full-time columnist. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/cc)
Feb 27, 2018
According to the newly leaked transcript of a New York Times staff meeting last year, editorial page editor James Bennet wants his employees and the public to believe that the paper of record is dedicated to open debate, not committed to any particular ideology, and opposed to "simply assert[ing] that we know what the right answers are."
"Call me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying 'we are pro-capitalism' and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff."
--Adam Johnson, media analyst
Oh, except when it comes to one small matter: capitalism.
"I think we are pro-capitalism," Bennet said, according to the Huffington Post, which was given a video of the meeting. "The New York Times is in favor of capitalism because it has been the greatest engine of, it's been the greatest anti-poverty program and engine of progress that we've seen."
After taking a few moments to insist that the Times "is very concerned with fairness" and outlining what the Huffington Post's Ashley Feinberg described as "an ideology of no ideology," Bennet went on to express support for a lower corporate tax rate--one of the central components of the tax bill President Donald Trump signed into law last year.
"In thinking about, for example, the tax bill in this and that, you know, we actually like the idea of reducing corporate rates," Bennet said. "We're not for taxation for purposes of taxation, but we are very concerned about fairness and equitable distribution. And it's sort of wrestling with the, with the tensions there is, I think, how we come out where we do."
Bennet's remarks came as he was facing intense criticism--both internally and externally--for bringing on right-wing climate denier Bret Stephens as a full-time columnist.
While Bennet insisted during the December meeting the Stephens hire demonstrates the paper's commitment to ideological diversity, one Times employee called that expressed commitment into doubt by highlighting the fact that the paper doesn't have a "strong advocate" for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) or his policy agenda on staff.
Bennet responded with what independent journalist Adam Johnson, who also works as an analyst for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR,) called a "comically incoherent" answer, one that didn't directly address the employee's observation and instead called on Times staffers to send him possible columnist "nominations."
Further reacting to the leaked staff meeting on Twitter, Johnson suggested there may be some connection between Bennet's remarks in support of capitalism and his failure to hire a supporter of America's most popular democratic socialist for a full-time post.
\u201cCall me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying \u201cwe are pro-capitalism. The New York Times is in favor of capitalism\u201d and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff and hiring a never-ending string of neocon ghouls.\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1519752540
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
According to the newly leaked transcript of a New York Times staff meeting last year, editorial page editor James Bennet wants his employees and the public to believe that the paper of record is dedicated to open debate, not committed to any particular ideology, and opposed to "simply assert[ing] that we know what the right answers are."
"Call me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying 'we are pro-capitalism' and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff."
--Adam Johnson, media analyst
Oh, except when it comes to one small matter: capitalism.
"I think we are pro-capitalism," Bennet said, according to the Huffington Post, which was given a video of the meeting. "The New York Times is in favor of capitalism because it has been the greatest engine of, it's been the greatest anti-poverty program and engine of progress that we've seen."
After taking a few moments to insist that the Times "is very concerned with fairness" and outlining what the Huffington Post's Ashley Feinberg described as "an ideology of no ideology," Bennet went on to express support for a lower corporate tax rate--one of the central components of the tax bill President Donald Trump signed into law last year.
"In thinking about, for example, the tax bill in this and that, you know, we actually like the idea of reducing corporate rates," Bennet said. "We're not for taxation for purposes of taxation, but we are very concerned about fairness and equitable distribution. And it's sort of wrestling with the, with the tensions there is, I think, how we come out where we do."
Bennet's remarks came as he was facing intense criticism--both internally and externally--for bringing on right-wing climate denier Bret Stephens as a full-time columnist.
While Bennet insisted during the December meeting the Stephens hire demonstrates the paper's commitment to ideological diversity, one Times employee called that expressed commitment into doubt by highlighting the fact that the paper doesn't have a "strong advocate" for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) or his policy agenda on staff.
Bennet responded with what independent journalist Adam Johnson, who also works as an analyst for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR,) called a "comically incoherent" answer, one that didn't directly address the employee's observation and instead called on Times staffers to send him possible columnist "nominations."
Further reacting to the leaked staff meeting on Twitter, Johnson suggested there may be some connection between Bennet's remarks in support of capitalism and his failure to hire a supporter of America's most popular democratic socialist for a full-time post.
\u201cCall me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying \u201cwe are pro-capitalism. The New York Times is in favor of capitalism\u201d and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff and hiring a never-ending string of neocon ghouls.\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1519752540
According to the newly leaked transcript of a New York Times staff meeting last year, editorial page editor James Bennet wants his employees and the public to believe that the paper of record is dedicated to open debate, not committed to any particular ideology, and opposed to "simply assert[ing] that we know what the right answers are."
"Call me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying 'we are pro-capitalism' and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff."
--Adam Johnson, media analyst
Oh, except when it comes to one small matter: capitalism.
"I think we are pro-capitalism," Bennet said, according to the Huffington Post, which was given a video of the meeting. "The New York Times is in favor of capitalism because it has been the greatest engine of, it's been the greatest anti-poverty program and engine of progress that we've seen."
After taking a few moments to insist that the Times "is very concerned with fairness" and outlining what the Huffington Post's Ashley Feinberg described as "an ideology of no ideology," Bennet went on to express support for a lower corporate tax rate--one of the central components of the tax bill President Donald Trump signed into law last year.
"In thinking about, for example, the tax bill in this and that, you know, we actually like the idea of reducing corporate rates," Bennet said. "We're not for taxation for purposes of taxation, but we are very concerned about fairness and equitable distribution. And it's sort of wrestling with the, with the tensions there is, I think, how we come out where we do."
Bennet's remarks came as he was facing intense criticism--both internally and externally--for bringing on right-wing climate denier Bret Stephens as a full-time columnist.
While Bennet insisted during the December meeting the Stephens hire demonstrates the paper's commitment to ideological diversity, one Times employee called that expressed commitment into doubt by highlighting the fact that the paper doesn't have a "strong advocate" for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) or his policy agenda on staff.
Bennet responded with what independent journalist Adam Johnson, who also works as an analyst for Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR,) called a "comically incoherent" answer, one that didn't directly address the employee's observation and instead called on Times staffers to send him possible columnist "nominations."
Further reacting to the leaked staff meeting on Twitter, Johnson suggested there may be some connection between Bennet's remarks in support of capitalism and his failure to hire a supporter of America's most popular democratic socialist for a full-time post.
\u201cCall me a conspiracy theorist but I think there may be a connection between the NYT editorial page editor saying \u201cwe are pro-capitalism. The New York Times is in favor of capitalism\u201d and the NYT having no Sanders backers on staff and hiring a never-ending string of neocon ghouls.\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1519752540
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.