The New York Times is clamping down on its reporters appearing on opinionated cable news shows to avoid the appearance of “bias.”
The newspaper recently blocked its finance editor David Enrich from appearing on Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show to talk about his reporting on President Trump’s finances and Deutsche Bank, according to according to Vanity Fair. The paper has also placed Lawrence O’Donnell’s show on MSNBC and Don Lemon’s show on CNN on its blacklist.
“In deciding whether to make a radio, television or Internet appearance, a staff member should consider its probable tone and content to make sure they are consistent with Times standards,” the New York Times ethics guide states. “Staff members should avoid strident, theatrical forums that emphasize punditry and reckless opinion-mongering.”
Reporters with the New York Times have been able to turn their reporting into numerous hits on MSNBC and CNN, boosting their brand and sometimes landing lucrative contributor contracts. It’s unclear how the New York Times’ recent enforcement of its ethics rules may affect those contributor contracts and the paper’s relationship with the networks.
The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, Julie Davis, Patrick Healy, Caitlin Dickerson, Astead Herndon, and others are paid contributors to CNN. Michael Schmidt, Nicholas Confessore, Jeremy Peters, Mike Isaac, Megan Twohey, and others have similar contracts with MSNBC. No New York Times reporters are contributors to Fox News.
