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Who's Nicknaming Iraqi Leaders? |
Current rating: 0 |
by Joe Futrelle
Email: futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
16 Apr 2003
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The New York Times is reporting that the US raided the home of a microbiologist nicknamed "Dr. Germ". But they don't say who came up with the nickname, and it's against their policy to use nicknames. |
"U.S. special forces Wednesday raided the Baghdad home of a microbiologist nicknamed ``Dr. Germ'' who ran Iraq's secret biological laboratory." - NYT
First it's "chemical Ali", now this. But they never say *who* came up with these nicknames. Is this really reporting? The NYT's editorial policy is not to use nicknames or even first names. Why aren't they calling George W. Bush "a high ranking official nicknamed "Dubya"?" |
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Re: Who's Nicknaming Iraqi Leaders? |
by NYT
editor (nospam) nytimes.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 2
16 Apr 2003
Modified: 11:29:47 AM |
Dear Mr. Futrelle,
We appreciate your comments and your efforts to help the New York Times adhere to our editorial policies. We do not believe, however, that we have violated any of our principles.
War is an exceptional occurrence, and we do our best to provide balanced coverage of the ongoing conflict. Our correspondents have been inside Iraq for many months, and on numerous occasions, we have been criticized for providing war coverage perceived as being too favorable to the Iraqis. We face a difficult challenge in adhering to the highest journalistic standards, but it is a challenge that we gladly accept.
Recent use of what you term "nicknames" is appropriate under the present circumstances. Iraqi names all sound alike to the average reader of our newspaper, therefore we find it appropriate--essential, even--to assist our readers by identifying the person with the crime they have committed. Despite our own use of the word "nickname" (which we will cease to use, but not because we've done anything wrong), the editors at the New York Times believe a better term is "handle" or perhaps "sobriquet". Please look for these terms when you purchase our paper in the future.
Regarding your question about the sources of recently used sobriquets, we received them directy from very reliable sources in the U.S. military whose identity we cannot disclose.
With Warm Regards,
The Editors |
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Re: Who's Nicknaming Iraqi Leaders? |
by NYT
editor (nospam) nytimes.com (unverified) |
Current rating: -1
16 Apr 2003
Modified: 11:52:52 AM |
Dear Mr. Futrelle,
We appreciate your comments and your efforts to help the New York Times adhere to our editorial policies. We do not believe, however, that we have violated any of our principles.
War is an exceptional occurrence, and we do our best to provide balanced coverage of the ongoing conflict. Our correspondents have been inside Iraq for many months, and on numerous occasions, we have been criticized for providing war coverage perceived as being too favorable to the Iraqis. We face a difficult challenge in adhering to the highest journalistic standards, but it is a challenge that we gladly accept.
Recent use of what you term "nicknames" is appropriate under the present circumstances. Iraqi names all sound alike to the average reader of our newspaper, therefore we find it appropriate--essential, even--to assist our readers by identifying the person with the crime they have committed. Despite our own use of the word "nickname" (which we will cease to use, but not because we've done anything wrong), the editors at the New York Times believe a better term is "handle" or perhaps "sobriquet". Please look for these terms when you purchase our paper in the future.
Regarding your question about the sources of recently used sobriquets, we received them directy from very reliable sources in the U.S. military whose identity we cannot disclose.
With Warm Regards,
The Editors |
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Re: Who's Nicknaming Iraqi Leaders? |
by Joe Futrelle
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Apr 2003
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> Regarding your question about the sources of recently used sobriquets, we received them directy from very reliable sources in the U.S. military whose identity we cannot disclose.
Can you disclose their sobriquets? ;) |
