New Delhi: After The New York Times faced widespread criticism on social media for firing a freelance editor allegedly for a pro-Biden tweet, the US newspaper has denied all claims.
On 19 January, Lauren Wolfe, who worked with the US daily’s ‘Live’ section, had tweeted that she had “chills” watching US President Joe Biden’s plane land outside Washington D.C., ahead of his inauguration. She was let go a few days later and has since then deleted the tweet.
However, the NYT Sunday clarified that it did not fire Wolfe over a single tweet.
“There’s a lot of inaccurate information circulating on Twitter. For privacy reasons we don’t get into the details of personnel matters, but we can say that we didn’t end someone’s employment over a single tweet. Out of respect for the individuals involved, we don’t plan to comment further,” Danielle Rhoades Ha, the newspaper’s spokesperson, told The Washington Post.
NYT also reportedly clarified that Wolfe was “not a full-time employee and did not have a contract with the publication, contrary to widespread reports, and instead worked on a more informal freelance basis”.
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Journalists rally behind Wolfe
Journalist Yashar Ali was the first one to highlight Wolfe’s situation. On 22 January, he cited anonymous sources and noted that the former NYT editor’s contract was terminated after her tweet on Biden was criticised by conservatives.
2. Lauren Wolfe was tasked with mostly editing stories that were on the NYT live page (which were constantly updated) related to the pandemic and breaking news events.
Most of the criticism of her tweet came from conservatives.
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) January 22, 2021
Some other journalists and Twitter users also condemned the termination and tweeted in solidarity with Wolfe. Baltimore Magazine Editor-in-Chief Max Weiss noted that her tweet could be construed as being awestruck by the sight of democracy in action.
I honestly think if Lauren Wolfe had written, "I love Joe Biden, he's the bestest president ever!" it STILL wouldn't have been a fireable offense. But "I have chills"? That could be construed as being awestruck by the sight of Democracy in action.
— Max Weiss (@maxthegirl) January 24, 2021
Author Jillian C. York, meanwhile, pointed out that the NYT had “higher standards for women”.
Anyone else noticed that the NYT has higher standards for women? Nah?
— Jillian C. York (she/they) (@jilliancyork) January 24, 2021
Wolfe, on her part, described her termination as a “firing” on Facebook and also accused the publication of not “standing behind her”.
However, she asked users not to unsubscribe from the publication saying that she has loved the paper and “their journalism is some of the most important and best in the world, and they need to be read widely”.
Hi all. I truly appreciate everyone’s support but I need to ask you a favor: PLEASE don’t unsubscribe from @nytimes. I have loved this paper and its mission my whole life. Their journalism is some of the most important & best in the world, & they need to be read widely. Thank you
— Lauren Wolfe (@Wolfe321) January 24, 2021
The New York Times Guild also posted a statement Monday that Wolfe’s termination was done “outside of the just cause protection of our contract due to her offering support and representation”. The guild also said that they have reached out to Wolfe offering support and representation.
TimesGuild statement on Lauren Wolfe: pic.twitter.com/x555qHnAcq
— NYTimesGuild (@NYTimesGuild) January 24, 2021
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‘Biased’ tweet
Wolfe’s tweet on Biden was mostly criticised by conservatives and was termed as biased to the present administration.
Just a day before Wolfe’s tweet, Cliff Levy, an associate managing editor at NYT, had tweeted that the newspaper will scrutinise the incoming administration “just as thoroughly as we did the outgoing one”.
Core to the @nytimes mission: We will scrutinize the incoming administration just as thoroughly as we did the outgoing one.https://t.co/MD8p19UBoO https://t.co/bIuoiXJtt9
— Cliff Levy (@cliffordlevy) November 28, 2020
In response to that tweet, a user pointed out what Wolfe had tweeted in favour of the administration.
What about Lauren Wolfe’s “chills”? Is that “scrutiny” or just more Pom-Pom waving?
— furious_Vote_for_Pedro_a (@furious_a) January 20, 2021
Some Twitter users also pointed out how Wolfe’s tweets reaffirmed the bias of the newspaper.
@nytimes Thanks to Lauren Wolfe for reaffirming the fact that the NYT is a joke. It is not a newspaper but a propaganda rag for the Left. All impartiality is gone. The only good use for the NYT is to line your birdcage or to train your puppy.
— Shane Locke (@ShaneLocke8) January 20, 2021
Lauren Wolfe getting fired by @nytimes for what she wrote could easily apply to others like Jake Tapper. #Outnumbered
— full pro (@realfullpro) January 22, 2021
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Intolerant Liberals! NYT was amogst the international media which blamed India and Hindus of intolerance in 2015 and 2016. Pot calling the kettle black.