Editor & Publisher Covers NYT.com Censorship

Their story is here. There’s also a mention on Jim Romenesko’s media industry news.

Here’s the lead:

NEW YORK—NYTimes.com said it canceled the use of Ted Rall’s editorial cartoons effective March 1 because they didn’t fit “the tone” of the popular Web site.

When asked why the decision was made, New York Times Digital Spokesperson Christine Mohan said in an e-mail: “After two years of monitoring cartoons by Ted Rall we decided that, while he often does good work, we found some of his humor was not in keeping with the tone we try to set for NYTimes.com … While NYTimes.com and its parent company support the right of free expression, we also recognize an obligation to assure our users that what we publish, no matter what its origin, does not offend the reasonable sensibilities of our audience.”

Boilerplate denial language, but notice the key points. “After two years…” What happened two years ago? “Terror Widows.” That controversial cartoon, which put me on right-wing hit lists, ran on March 30, 2002. “Reasonable sensibilities”?!? My work runs in numerous “family newspapers,” including the print edition of the New York Times itself where, for several years, it has been the most frequently reprinted cartoon in the paper.

Truth is, the “tone” of my work is not at issue here. Content is–specifically political content. The ONLY reason they’re dropping me is because they’re tired of dealing with Republican hate mail–most of it from people who don’t even read the New York Times, but fire off rote complaints against liberal bête noires as part of their daily regimen.

As I wrote before (scroll down), this isn’t about money. New York Times Digital wasn’t paying me any. It’s not even about exposure–online readers can find my cartoons at other websites, including those of prestigious daily newspapers that don’t have any problem with my “tone.”

I have to hand it to the right. While progressives throw up their hands and wonder at the dismal state of affairs in this country, they’re ceaselessly working to eliminate voices that try to move things in a different direction. That’s why Clear Channel Communications, for instance, retaliated against Howard Stern’s endorsement of John Kerry by dropping him. Had the same thing happened to Rush, right-wingers would have created a shitstorm, but not the left: Stern’s callers urged him to fight back. As he replied, there’s nothing he can do. In other words, it’s up to US to fight.

There’s nothing I can do either.