Introduction: “All the news that’s fit to print.” This simple seven-word phrase, the tagline for the New York Times, has remained unchanged for 121 years. Times owner Adolph Ochs coined the phrase soon after buying the paper in August 1986 to distinguish his press from other less reputable sources, in order to inform readers that the Times would not be participating in the growing trend of “yellow journalism” (Campbell par. 10). The slogan first appeared in an advertising campaign, then made its way to the top of the editorial page before being positioned in the upper left-hand corner of the front page, where it has appeared in every issue ever since. While the words have remained the same, the interpretation of the words has changed over the years and varies depending on the ideological stance of the reader. The statement “all the news that’s fit to print” functions civically due to its versatility, allowing the Times to publish pieces that initiate discussion.
Topic One: Moveon.org (Hoyt)
- 2007
- Ran the “General Patraeus or General Betray Us” ad purchased by the liberal activist group MoveOn.org
- Paid a discounted standby rate of $64,575 instead of $142, 083
- 4000 e-mail messages attacking the ad as “despicable,” disgrace,” and “treason”
- Condemned by conservatives and the democratic controlled senate
- Fueled charges of the “liberal Times” aiding its friends at Moveon.org
- Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., publisher of the Times: “If we’re going to err, it’s better to err on the side of more political dialogue… Perhaps we did err in this case. If we did, we erred with the intent of giving greater voice to the people.”
- What constitutes fit to print in this case?
o According to editors, anything that generates political discussion
o According to many politicians, this publishing this ad is defamation of character
Topic Two: Judith Miller (Terkel)
- 2002
o Reported Iraq “had stepped up its quest for nuclear weapons and has embarked on a worldwide hunt for materials to make an atomic bomb”
o Cited “American intelligence experts”
- Claims made in article were false allegations
o Story is cited by Bush administration as justification for war with Iraq
o Criticized she became too close with her Bush Administration sources
- What constitutes “fit to print” in this case
o Untruthful story that garners public support for an administration
o Boldface lies that should not grace the pages of the paper
Conclusion:
The statement “all the news that’s fit to print” functions civically by affording the New York Times the freedom to publish stories that will generate discussion. What one views as “fit to print” may not have legitimacy to another, but the broad nature of the statement allows for different interpretations of what constitutes “news” and “fit to print.” While this tagline was initially created to differentiate the New York Times from other publications that perpetuated falsehoods, it has since become a sort of “covenant” for the Times, deeming any news worthy of discussion “fit to print.”
Works Cited
Campbell, W. Joseph. “114 Years on the Front Page.” Media Myth Alert, 9 Feb. 2011. 19 Sept. 2017. Web.
Hoyt, Clark. “Betraying Its Own Best Interests.” The New York Times, 23 Sept. 2017. Web.
Terkel, Amanda. “Fox News Hires Disgraced Reporter Judith Miller.” Think Progress, 20 Oct. 2008. 19 Sept. 2017. Web.