The New York Times: A Journey of Bias and Controversy

In this personal essay, former editorial-page editor of the New York Times, James Bennet, reflects on the challenges faced by the newspaper and the broader American news media. He discusses the controversy surrounding the publication of an op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton, which led to his own resignation. Bennet argues that the Times has shifted from liberal bias to illiberal bias, with a growing inclination to shut down debate rather than present diverse perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of courage in journalism, particularly in an era of polarization and social media, and calls for a return to the principles of open-mindedness, integrity, and truth-seeking to restore the credibility of American journalism.