This really shouldn’t be a sign of a revolution, but it is. In any other business, Howell Raines and Gerald Boyd would have resigned weeks ago. And a few years ago, they would have been able to ride out the storm, using the Times’ enormous media power to protect themselves. But the Internet has changed things. It means that the errors and biases of the new NYT could be exposed not just once but dozens and dozens of times. It means that huge and powerful institutions such as the New York Times cannot get away with anything any more. The deference is over; and the truth will out.
No word from Kaus yet, but he’s bound to weigh in soon. And if this is your first time here today, scroll down for lots of news about the NYT and the Guardian.
UPDATE: Kaus has posted now. Best bit:
If this had happened 10 years ago, when the Internet didn’t exist, Raines would still be running the place. The Times staff would be just as unhappy, but they’d be unable to instantaneously organize and vent their displeasure on Romenesko and elsewhere.
Yep.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Meanwhile, Donald Luskin is dancing about on Raines’ grave, and Roger Simon wants to know who you’d pick as a new oped columnist if you were the new editor of the Times.