Political Bias? Wall Street Journal Editor Fires Back At New York Times

In this morning’s New York Times, media columnist David Carr showed his hand early in a column about the two-year anniversary of Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of the Wall Street Journal, writing in his opening paragraph that he counted himself among the “chorus of journalism church ladies” who “warned that one of the crown jewels of American journalism now resided in the hands of a roughneck.” Carr goes on to say that the paper has experienced “pro-business, antigovernment shift” and developed a conservative bias. Now, the Wall Street Journal’s editor-in-chief Robert Thomson is firing back in a statement, as reported by John Koblin in The Observer.

“The news column by a Mr. David Carr today is yet more evidence that The New York Times is uncomfortable about the rise of an increasingly successful rival while its own circulation and credibility are in retreat,” Thomson’s statement begins, going on to say that, “principle is but a bystander at .”

Koblin reached out to both Carr and Times editor Bill Keller for a response to the response, with Carr writing back, “No, seems fair to have him have his say. I had mine and stand by it.”

The full text of Thomson’s comment is below:

The news column by a Mr David Carr today is yet more evidence that The New York Times is uncomfortable about the rise of an increasingly successful rival while its own circulation and credibility are in retreat. The usual practice of quoting ex-employees was supplemented by a succession of anonymous quotes and unsubstantiated assertions. The attack follows the extraordinary actions of Mr Bill Keller, the Executive Editor, who, among other things, last year wrote personally and at length to a prize committee casting aspersions on Journal journalists and journalism. Whether it be in the quest for prizes or in the disparagement of competitors, principle is but a bystander at The New York Times.

In his rebuttal, Keller said, “The column was scrupulously fair and, if anything, understated…” Read the rest here.

Under Murdoch, Tilting Rightward at The Journal [New York Times]
Robert Thomson Takes Swing at David Carr, Bill Keller [The Observer]

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