The New York Times: News That's Unfit

Democracy depends on adequate information. Here are specific examples of a highly regarded news source, the New York Times, failing to deliver.

• Phony medical testimony, or phony news article? (November 29, 2005): Do asbestos and silica suits against corporations often benefit from crooked medical testimony? Or is the Times painting a false picture for reasons of its own? And is this all-out attack on a specific doctor who's been charged with no crime warranted?

• Expect Bolivian coca toothpaste, Times tells readers (November 26, 2005): Bolivia's front-running presidential candidate plans to legalize coca. But don't worry about cocaine, he says. The plan is to make "industrial" use of coca for toothpaste, for export to China and Europe. The Times reports impassively.

• Prosecuting lies: Confused account (November 26, 2005): Confusing story on Austrian prosecution of Holocaust denier presents irrelevant statements from defense lawyer, plus commentary by Austrian pundits that's either impenetrable or trivial.

• Chinese officials face-savers or killers? (November 26, 2005): Story fails to address a central issue: Are Chinese officials who tried to cover up a chemical spill face-savers or killers?

• Opinions at N.Y. Times Defy News Report (September 20, 2005): Columnists and others heap scorn on Bush's statement that New Orleans's levee breach was unexpected, while experts quoted in a news story back Bush. Presented with the contradictions, the Times Ombudsman refuses response.

• Waffling on critics' objections to Bush nominee: Illogical article highlights Bush-friendly points and leaves Democrats' objections unexplained. (Re "Senate Panel Is Set to Vote on Bolton Nomination Today," by Douglas Jehl, May 12, 2005.)

• Evil not a PR concern, as long as no pix: Court upholds Bush admin actions that promote patronage. Is patronage not understood to be counter to public interest? No coherent rationalization appears. (Re "Trenton Loses Court Skirmish on Road Funds," by Josh Benson, New York Times, January 22, 2005.)

• Chinese Journalist Sued in U.S. [removed]: News report ignores central question: Does the suit have a legitimate basis? (Re "Chinese TV Director Sued by Falun Gong Claims Free Speech Protection in the U.S.," by Adam Liptak, January 2, 2005.)

• First Amendment Desecrated by New York Times: the Times gags judges in its promotion of free speech falsehoods. (Re "Reporter Who Shielded Source Will Serve Sentence at Home," by Pam Belluck, December 10, 2004, and others.)

• Questionable Advocacy of Press Freedom, re "Lawyer Says He Gave Convicted Reporter Videotape in Corruption Inquiry," by Katie Zezima, December 2, 2004.

• Abusing Kids for Money, re "Contracts Keep Drug Research Out of Reach," November 29, 2004, by Barry Meier.

• 21 unfit news examples, from Oct. 1999 to Nov. 2004