James O'Keefe weighs in on NYT examination of difference between 'activism' and 'journalism'

Doug P. | 2:29 PM on July 01, 2013

Because New York Times, that’s why!

Bill Keller, the liberal former executive editor of the New York Times, who remains a columnist for the paper, linked to an article in the Times written by David Carr which examines what it takes to be considered a “journalist” and not merely an “activist.”

Carr cuts thru the who's-a-journalist blather. Journalism, Even When It’s Tilted http://t.co/jUXttEOKRk

— Bill Keller (@billkeller2014) July 1, 2013

The short version: You become a journalist when somebody at the New York Times says you are a journalist:

Blather until the Times weighs in. Quoting: @nytkeller "Carr cuts thru the who's-a-journalist blather." https://t.co/eZ3IVEkX1s

— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) July 1, 2013

https://twitter.com/dangillmor/status/351680202193117184

@jayrosen_nyu remember @nytkeller regarded Assange as "a source, not as a partner or collaborator … a man who clearly had his own agenda".

— Toby Manhire (@toby_etc) July 1, 2013

https://twitter.com/JulLarsen/status/351678385308712960

Possibly because the powers that be at the Times consider those people to be “activists” and “just a blogger” types whose reporting is only legitimized after being vetted by real journalists at the Times.

James O’Keefe had a few questions for the Times’ David Carr:

Hey, @carr2n, while on subject of defining "journalism," why is admitted bugger considered journo by DOJ while citizen journos harassed?

— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) July 1, 2013