Last night, The Blue Ridge Center hosted distinguished journalist James Bennet, who gave a talk reflecting on his feud with The New York Times and the contemporary state of American journalism. In 2016, Bennet was appointed as the Times Editorial Page editor. In the summer of 2020, amidst nationwide Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death, Bennet published an op-ed by Senator Tom Cotton calling for the deployment of federal troops in the face of violent riots. The op-ed immediately sparked outrage within the newspaper, with fellow writers calling the piece “fascist” and claiming that the publication was life-threatening. Eventually, the Times posted an editor’s note to the op-ed affirming that “the essay fell short of our standards and should not have been published,” claiming that the editorial process was “rushed” and “flawed.” Only a few days later, the Times announced Bennet’s resignation. Three years later, in December of 2023, Bennet published a lengthy essay in The Economist titled “When the New York Times lost its way,” accusing the Times of silencing differing perspectives and facilitating a left-wing ideological echo-chamber. Currently, Bennet works as a senior editor for The Economist. He took the time to speak to UVA about the disappearance of objectivity and diversity of thought in journalism.
Bennet began by acknowledging the privilege of perpetual learning inherent to journalism, where every story serves as a lesson. He emphasized the importance of asking “the stupid questions” and maintaining humility and skepticism, particularly in the face of prevailing narratives that allow no room for disagreement. Bennett expressed shock that the liberal values of tolerance, free speech, inclusion, and open-mindedness, which he previously took for granted, are now under threat, both globally and domestically.
Bennet explained how journalism, once grounded in humility, curiosity, and empathy, has veered away from its foundational values. He lamented the shift from journalists as impartial witnesses to actors who seek to instruct and shape public opinion, stating, “I feel like many journalists could come to think it’s their role to be the judges themselves, to instruct rather than to inform, to tell people what they should think, rather than to help them think for themselves.” Furthermore, he referenced the controversial Tom Cotton piece, highlighting the irony of journalists who had long prided themselves on fearlessness now feel threatened by certain ideas. He attributed this shift to the influence of ideologies incubated on college campuses, particularly among the affluent, educated left, which has increasingly shaped discourse within journalism and society at large.
To contextualize his point, Bennet traced the historical development of news dissemination, from the early colonial newspapers to the advent of the internet. He underscored the impact of technology like the rotary press, radio, and television on increasing demand for news, leading to the emergence of objectivity as an ideal within journalism. However, Bennet also acknowledged the seismic shift brought about by the internet, which revolutionized the way news was consumed and distributed. He pointed to what he described as “the biggest disaster”: the decline of local journalism; in the last 20 years alone, the US lost a third of its newspapers and two-thirds of its journalists. He also referenced the influence of social media on enforcing conformity of thought and the overwhelming volume of news available online as other significant consequences of this technological transformation.
Expanding further on how the digital age has transformed journalism, Bennet suggested that the internet’s reward system, driven by clicks and shares, has blurred the lines between news and opinion. He criticized how journalists’ pursuit of a social media following makes it less of a priority for them to question groupthink. He also discussed how the coverage of virtual events has shifted the focus away from real-world reporting, turning public attention away from real-world issues. Bennet argued against the notion of equating words with violence, suggesting that online discourse has led to damaging perceptions of debate as inherently dangerous.
To illustrate the disconnect between online perceptions and real-world experiences, Bennet shared a personal anecdote about a progressive opinion writer at the Times who was sent to cover Trump rallies in Pennsylvania. Despite her political differences, she returned astonished by the friendliness of Trump supporters. Her realization stresses the importance of first-hand experiences in challenging preconceived notions and bridging the gap between ideological divides. He summed up his point by claiming, “The Internet leaves us with cartoonish stereotypes of groups.”
Ultimately, Bennet contends that the internet has paradoxically returned us to a fragmented media landscape akin to the 19th century, where individuals can choose their preferred ideology and engage in a cycle of confirmation bias. Despite criticism from colleagues, Bennet continues to defend the publication of Cotton’s op-ed as an important exercise in free speech that contributed to a larger debate. He ended with his powerful takeaway: “Simply shouting people down or ignoring folks we disagree with, is what, over the long term, actually puts us all in danger.”
Nicely done. Just what a piece like this should be.