The New York Times’ public editor has retracted her criticism of some of the publication’s reporters’ tweets.
“In retrospect, I should have held back more, not knowing what the context was for the tweets. I think that’s a fair criticism,” Liz Spayd told Politico on Tuesday.
“But I stand by my view that journalists should be careful, sometimes more careful than they are, with what they say on social media,” she added. “That includes how it can be interpreted.”
On Friday, during an interview with Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Carlson asked her about reporters’ tweets, suggesting they’re not just reporting news but also adding in their opinions. Carlson added that the tweets show that the Times reporters showed bias against President-elect Donald Trump.
White House as QVC. It has started. pic.twitter.com/jk0DeQJ9vV
— Eric Lipton (@EricLiptonNYT) November 15, 2016
For a new president from reality television, a cabinet selection that resembles a pageant. @nytmike @shearm https://t.co/g6odeaQ6sM
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) November 21, 2016
“We tried to keep this guy from getting elected, but did anyways,” Carlson told her, according to The Hill.
“Yes, I think that’s outrageous. I think that that should not be. They shouldn’t be tweeted,” Spayd responded to Carlson’s comments. “I don’t know that any of those people should be fired, but I do think that when people go over the line like that, and I think some of those are over the line, that there ought to be some kind of a consequence for that,” she added.
The comments angered other reporters, who then slammed her on Twitter, calling for her resignation.
