WSJ Editorial Features editor James Taranto had a good thread on Sunday where he breaks down the New York Times’ “atrocious journalism” from their article titled, “Without Evidence, Trump Claims Vindication From Release of Carter Page Documents.”
Have a read:
Here is an example of how antagonism toward Trump produces atrocious journalism.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
Times news story lede begins: "President Trump claimed without evidence…" https://t.co/NXynUWQV1D pic.twitter.com/hpuL056kmi
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
In fact, there is evidence, namely the FISA warrants, which were released IN RESPONSE TO A FOIA REQUEST FROM THE TIMES. https://t.co/kttDuwG7De pic.twitter.com/rBDEA76yWh
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
When today's story says "without evidence," what it means is that the reporters disagree with the president's interpretation of the evidence.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
Perhaps the reporters have the better of the argument, though I tend to think it's not the place of a news reporter to be making such arguments.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
But "without evidence" signals that they have prejudged the case–that they are not approaching the question honestly. Even if the story is solid, the lede taints it. I didn't read on.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 22, 2018
What’s even worse is that former NYT public editor and current Washington Post columnist Margaret Sullivan saw no problem with the article or headline:
This NYT headline, and story framing, seems about right to me. …. Without Evidence, Trump Claims Vindication From Release of Carter Page Documents https://t.co/glAVODC7TE
— Margaret Sullivan (@Sulliview) July 22, 2018
Sigh.
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