Opinion By William A. Babcock The New York Times is to be commended for its in-depth, ongoing reporting of sex abuse. Beginning with its reporting of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assaults on women and following up with stories of a string of similar activities by men in high places, the Times has done a great service to all women and men as well. The Washington Post, too, … [Read more...] about A media holiday wish
Xi and the media: strange bedfellows
By William A. Babcock Opinion China’s 19th Party Congress has concluded. As expected, Xi Jinping was confirmed for a second five-year term. But just as his re-election was expected, China’s media coverage of the event was predictable. Not only was China Daily News’ English-language coverage of the Conference predictably positive, but all other media here, including CCTV, … [Read more...] about Xi and the media: strange bedfellows
The Gray, Grey Lady mucks up
by William A. Babcock Media -- it’s a plural. Medium is the singular. Grammar 101. Clear. Simple. No question. Unless you’re the New York Times, which inexplicably and regularly refers to “media” as a singular, as in “the media is.” That newspaper argues that usage has made it so, much in the same way the Associated Press now accepts “under way” as one word in all … [Read more...] about The Gray, Grey Lady mucks up
“Dewey Defeats Truman” – again
In the just-published, most recent print Gateway Journalism Review, my editor’s column opined it now was time, in the wake of the Cleveland Indians winning baseball’s 2016 World Series, for the media to stop using the name Indians and the team’s offensive Chief Wahoo logo. In the column I said the Cleveland Indians “might best celebrate by turning over a new leaf and … [Read more...] about “Dewey Defeats Truman” – again
RIP the Cleveland Indians and Chief Wahoo
A new age is dawning, clearly. The Cleveland Indians have won their third Major League Baseball World Series. First time was 1920; second time 1948. (World Series losses in 1954, 1995 and 1997 now seem but bad memories.) Time to celebrate. And the Cleveland Indians might best celebrate by turning over a new leaf and shedding their name and logo. No team starting up in … [Read more...] about RIP the Cleveland Indians and Chief Wahoo