New York Times

Is the Times Repeating Past Mistakes in its Transgender Reporting and Editorials?

The paper's now-notorious reluctance to cover the growing AIDS crisis and insistence on using clinical terminology like "homosexual" to describe gay men are now seen as failures of journalism. Is the paper's recent coverage of transgender issues following the same path? 

Consolidated Cultural Elites and the New York Times Book Review

by David A. Bell

Historians shouldn't be alarmed by the number of historians on the Times's list of the best nonfiction titles of 2022. They should be alarmed by how big publishing houses seem to have an inside track to the platform. 

Why are Historians at War with the New York Times?

Politico's media columnist argues that the paper's outsize role in the culture is driving the anger of historians whose uncredited work was foundational to the paper's recent series on Haiti's debt payments to France. 

What's New and Not in the NYT Haiti Blockbuster

by Jonathan M. Katz

What can be taken away from the battle erupting between journalists and historians over the Times's blockbuster news event on Haiti's post-independence forced ransom? 

A Major Supreme Court First Amendment Decision Could Be At Risk

by Samantha Barbas

The "actual malice" standard of proof in libel suits established by New York Times v. Sullivan is an imperfect fit for the social media age, but right-wing calls to overturn the ruling would allow the rich and powerful to bully the press with expensive lawsuits. 

Elegy for Op-Ed

by Michael J. Socolow

The decision by the Times to rebrand its outside commentaries reflects its failure to fight consistently over the years for the open exchange of ideas and to differentiate the views it published from its own official positions. 

Palin v. New York Times is a Textualist Land Mine for the First Amendment

by Richard E. Labunski

In June, trial will begin in Sarah Palin's libel case against the New York Times. The case appears to be teed up on a path to the Supreme Court, where the current "actual malice" standard for proving a public figure was libeled could be overturned. If this happens, the door will be open to lawsuits aimed at crushing press criticism of the government.

The New York Times Backs-Off a Controversial Claim in its 1619 Project

by John Fea

The New York Times Magazine offers some nuance. It appears that a recent panel featuring Alan Taylor, Annette Gordon-Reed, and others had something to do with this.

The 1619 Project’s outrageous, lying slander of Abe Lincoln

by Allen C. Guelzo

Humanities scholar Allen C. Guelzo defends Lincoln in the face of The 1619 Project's scrutiny.

What the 1619 Project Really Means

by Timothy Messer-Kruse

Professor Timothy Messer-Kruse argues that critics from both ends of the political spectrum have misunderstood the project.

New York Times Publishes Sweeping Collection: "Reflections on 1960, the Year of Africa"

The feature includes images from all of the 17 African countries that gained independence in 1960 and reflections of creative people of African descent to give their personal reactions to these images. 

1619 and All That

by Alex Lichtenstein

"What is odd about the letter is that it implies that the singular problem with the 1619 Project is that journalists are practicing history without a license."

1,056 Feet: Why I Needed the 1619 Project Growing Up

by Derek Litvak

The 1619 Project is not interested in retelling America’s founding story. It seeks to forge a new one. The people who contributed to this effort know full well those like myself, who grew up in the drainage ditches of America, in the long shadow of a bright star, need to hear this history. Demands to “stick to the facts” often sideline or silence our story. 

Twelve Scholars Critique the 1619 Project and the New York Times Magazine Editor Responds

Scholars composed a letter to The New Times Magazine concerning 'The 1619 Project.' The NYTM editor, Jake Silverstein, responded but the NYTM declined to publish the letter and his response. The scholars created a reply and Silverstein had no objection to publishing the exchange in another venue. It is published here.

A Matter of Facts

by Sean Wilentz

The New York Times’ 1619 Project launched with the best of intentions, but has been undermined by some of its claims.

The Fight Over the 1619 Project Is Not About the Facts

by Adam Serwer

A dispute between a small group of scholars and the authors of The New York Times Magazine’s issue on slavery represents a fundamental disagreement over the trajectory of American society.

Five professors say the 1619 Project should be amended. ‘We disagree,’ says the New York Times.

In a lengthy response published online over the weekend, New York Times Magazine editor Jake Silverstein addressed each concern from the professors but stood firmly behind the reporting and declined to correct it.

Help the New York Times Create a Walking Map of Women's History

Researchers estimate that women’s stories make up just 0.5 percent of recorded history. 

James Madison Responds to Sean Wilentz

by Alan Singer

The Electoral College may not have been expressly designed only to protect African slavery, but based on Madison’s notes, it was the mode most preferred by pro-slavery forces.

God Awful Questions for Christianity that Are Apparently Unfit to Be Addressed in the New York Times

by Philip Nobile

Why?