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‘Fundamental Misunderstanding’: Top NYT Writers Revolt Against Union, Defend Critical Coverage Of Trans Issues

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Dozens of journalists at The New York Times, including some of the paper’s most prominent reporters, defended their colleagues’ coverage of transgender issues in a Tuesday letter to the NewsGuild of New York, according to Vanity Fair.

A group of 200 NYT journalists and contributors previously signed an open letter Feb. 15 criticizing the newspaper for publishing articles that featured critical views of childhood gender transitions; the letter accused the NYT of “demonizing queers” and aligning with “hate groups.” The NewsGuild, the union that represents NYT journalists, followed suit soon after with its own letter defending those 200 contributors and claiming they were raising concerns about a “hostile work environment,” according to Semafor.

Top NYT reporters responded with a letter slamming the union for failing to understand the responsibilities of journalists and undermining the protections that allow them to do their jobs, according to Vanity Fair. Signees included Apoorva Mandavilli, Lisa Lerer, Jim Rutenberg, Mike McIntire and dozens of other writers.

“Factual, accurate journalism that is written, edited, and published in accordance with Times standards does not create a hostile workplace,” the Tuesday letter read. “Your letter appears to suggest a fundamental misunderstanding of our responsibilities as journalists. Regretfully, our own union leadership now seems determined to undermine the ethical and professional protections that we depend on to guard the independence and integrity of our journalism.”

The NYT published several articles over the past year which included critical views of transgender ideology and childhood sex change procedures, including an opinion piece defending author J.K. Rowling over allegations of “transphobia” and investigations into mastectomies and puberty blockers offered to minors with gender identity disorders.

The NewsGuild defended its letter in comments to the Daily Caller News Foundation and said its letter was a response to two NYT editors’ internal email to staffers; the union claimed that message contained “implied threats of discipline” against the 200 contributors who had initially criticized the NYT’s coverage of transgender issues.

“At the Guild, we unequivocally uphold that all employees have the federally-protected right to engage in concerted activity to address workplace conditions and for mutual aid and protection. It would be a violation of federal law for The New York Times to threaten, restrain or coerce employees from engaging in such activity,” a spokesperson told the DCNF.

The NYT did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.