The New York Times on Tuesday demoted deputy Washington editor Jonathan Weisman following a series of questionable tweets about people of color.
Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy told TPM that Weisman had met with executive editor Dean Baquet and apologized for “his recent serious lapses in judgment.”
“As a consequence of his actions, he has been demoted and will no longer be overseeing the team that covers Congress or be active on social media,” Murphy said. “We don’t typically discuss personnel matters but we’re doing so in this instance with Jonathan’s knowledge.”
Weisman stoked anger with his tweets last week when he implied certain nonwhite members of Congress didn’t count as true Midwesterners or Southerners because their districts included major cities. He also demanded author Roxane Gay give him an “enormous apology” after she called him out for his ignorant tweets about a black congressional candidate.
So sometimes the NYT can do the right thing. Now, about that other editor with the headline issues…
This is so unfair! How was he supposed to know the Times’ editors and reporters wouldn’t circle up the wagons and snarkily defend him from all criticism?
Almost too slow. ‘A series’ of tweets? Really? And, frankly inadequate as well.
Give Jonathan Weisman a mirror to go along with his demotion. Maybe in time he can see the Jonathan Weisman WE see.
I agree. Definitely changing the rules on him in midstream.
But…come to think of it, that is what tended to happen in Jr. High when someone pretended they were part of the Mean Girl clique, and they weren’t. The Mean Girls take them out for attempting to follow their rules.
So maybe it isn’t a rule change?