Rindsberg, born in South Africa and raised in the United States, says that brand name publishers declined to publish his manuscript, while freelance editors and designers refused to work on it. It has “never been about opposing The New York Times, but about pursuing the same mission to which the paper is dedicated - unearthing the truth.” In the preface, he suggests he has no preconceived agenda. His argument is contained in The Gray Lady Winked: How The New York Times’s Misreporting, Distortions & Fabrications Radically Alter History. The title of his new book aligns with his jaundiced opinion of its reporting record of major historical episodes over the past century. And let’s face it, journalism at the end of the day is only the first draft of history, so perfection should not be expected.Īshley Rindsberg, a freelance journalist, essayist and novelist living in Israel, presents an unduly harsh appraisal of the Times, which has been known as the Gray Lady due to its reputation for bloodless objectivity. Tight deadlines and personal preferences and biases inevitably lead to factual errors or misconceptions.

I enjoy reading the Times mainly because its coverage of international news and American domestic affairs is superior, a cut above the tepid and often superficial fare offered by most dailies in North America.īut as consistently good and reliable as its reporting and analyses tend to be, mistakes are made. I started reading The New York Times as a university student, which means that a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since I discovered it decades ago.

The gray lady winked