NPR

Opinion: 'New York Times' Argues Ronan Farrow Stretches The Facts. It's Messy

New York Times media columnist Ben Smith argues Ronan Farrow stretches his claims beyond the facts. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Farrow says his critics are missing the larger picture.
<em>New York Times</em> media columnist Ben Smith argues Ronan Farrow stretches his claims beyond the facts. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Farrow says his critics are missing the larger picture.

I wasn't going to write this column because, fundamentally, who wants to spend their lives simply picking up the food fights instigated by others and because, hey, my boss reliably informs me I'm supposed to be filing my own stories for NPR.

Yet the gravitational pull of the fracas between Ben Smith, ex-BuzzFeed News chief and new media macher for the The New York Times, versus Ronan Farrow, the golden boy investigative reporter for the New Yorker and exemplar of #SheSaid reporting, has proven near impossible to resist.

Especially because Farrow's remarks in an interview with me for NPR's stand at the core of the dispute: whether he called out NBC's cowardice in confronting the Hollywood powerhouse Harvey Weinstein, or

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min readSocial History
What Abortion Politics Has To Do With New Rights For Pregnant Workers
A new regulation to protect the rights of pregnant workers is the subject of an anti-abortion lawsuit because it includes abortion as a pregnancy "related medical condition."
NPR2 min read
The Louvre Museum Looks To Rehouse The 'Mona Lisa' In Its Own Room — Underground
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars said her institution is looking at upgrading both the visitor experience surrounding the iconic painting as well as the museum overall.
NPR2 min read
Candace Parker, 3-time WNBA And 2-time Olympic Champion, Says 'It's Time' To Retire
After 16 seasons, two Olympic gold medals and three WNBA championships, Candace Parker announced her retirement from professional basketball on Sunday.

Related Books & Audiobooks