Readers have been rejecting the Times and the direction it has taken under Executive Editor Howell Raines.
I think that is wishful thinking, but, in spite of John's reply questioning the numbers-surprise,surprise-the basic trend is true. I have read those numbers on slate, and several other sources. I would love to see the demographics on their circulation losses. I would bet it is Jewish.
The Times is great, but going against the grain of people's outlook these days. We have just had a great example of it on TV, where ABC, the most liberal of the "Big Three," took the hit during Iraq. At the same time Fox went up more than the other cable shows.
MNBC has gone right in response, and I suspect CNN is aware of the trend and watching the MOR of their coverage a little more closely. Watch for some changes at ABC.
The most shocking news was the memo from the "LA Times" top Editor saying, "hey guys, we have been PC and slanting things here, and it will stop now."
So, the story on the "New York Times" is "Watch the cousins!" They control the paper and are probably more "left" than Raines, but will not tolerate bad numbers. |
