The Gray Lady not above self-criticism

The New York times has long been affectionately termed “the Gray Lady” of journalism due to its position as the premier print news outlet worldwide and for its history of ethical journalism and groundbreaking coverage.

While it often falters, as in institution it is unafraid to apologize and criticize itself.

This morning the NYT led its print and online editions with this story exposing how Medicare funding is flowing disproportionately (in the millions of dollars) to the hands of a small number of medical specialists.

On the surface it appears a well articulated coverage of the facts, filled with infographics and pictures that likewise keep the reader engaged. It was missing one piece though: most of the information came directly from the Wall Street Journal and not from the NYT’s own sources.

The NYT’s Public Editor, a position outside of the normal reporting and editing structure which seeks to address the public’s questions about coverage, immediately came forward and said that while the NYT’s reporter’s did an excellent job of explaining, analyzing, and further expanding upon the significance of the facts, they or their editors should have made a clear nod to the WSJ in their coverage.

To me this marks the greatness of an institution like the New York Times. In an age of ever-abundant digital news outlets that try to push the news as it breaks with less regard for what has happened in the recent past, the fact that the New York Times takes the time to publicly address what it could have done better. The objective to get the news out there is unsubstantiated without good writing and more importantly good journalism, which is why the Gray Lady still stands proud.