It Depends Upon What The Meaning of "Is" Is

The New York Times descends into absolute Clintonism to defend itself from charges of lying. On September 5, New York Times reporter Alessandra Stanley accused Fox News' Geraldo Rivera of nudging an Air Force rescue worker out of the way so his network's camera could record his heroic rescue of an elderly woman.

Now, Geraldo does have a well earned reputation for nacissism that is consistent with this story, but, it simply didn't happen. And, Fox News had the video to prove it. Rivera demanded and correction and an apology, but the Times refused, in flagrant violation of its much heralded, but often ignored accuracy policy.

Geraldo continued to defend himself. Fox News replayed the exculpatory video over and over, the blogosphere was on the case, and so, the Times issued the following at the very bottom of its ironically misnamed "corrections" page.

"The TV Watch column on Sept. 5 discussed broadcast journalists' undisguised outrage at the failings of Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts. It said reporters had helped stranded victims because no police officers or rescue workers were around, and added, "Fox's Geraldo Rivera did his rivals one better: yesterday, he nudged an Air Force rescue worker out of the way so his camera crew could tape him as he helped lift an older woman in a wheelchair to safety."

The editors understood the "nudge" comment as the television critic's figurative reference to Mr. Rivera's flamboyant intervention. Mr. Rivera complained, but after reviewing a tape of his broadcast, The Times declined to publish a correction.

Numerous readers, however - now including Byron Calame, the newspaper's public editor, who also scrutinized the tape - read the comment as a factual assertion. The Times acknowledges that no nudge was visible on the broadcast."

I report, you deride.