NY Times employees' campaign contributions

[Guest Cerebus]

Link here

 

Catherine Mathis

Vice President of Corporate Communications

The New York Times

New York, NY

Dear Ms. Mathis:

 

As a new shareholder in the New York Times Company and reader of the Times, I am gravely concerned about the paper’s commitment to principled journalism in today’s world.

 

The Times’ code of conduct, as laid out in the Ethical Journalism handbook that was revised in January 2003, explicitly prohibits staff from making political donations.

 

“Staff members may not themselves give money to, or raise money for, any political candidate or election cause. Given the ease of Internet access to public records of campaign contributors, any political giving by a times staff member would carry a great risk of feeding a false impression that the paper is taking sides,” states the code. [1]

 

After reading this rule, I searched Federal Election Commission records on the web for Times staff and experienced dismay, seeing that dozens of staff members made political donations over more than two decades. [2]

 

Focal points of staff FEC files:

 

-- Most recent donations: Michael H. Sussman, web producer, donated in December 2003, Sarah Lyall, London bureau, gave in September 2003. While Janet Maslin, book critic, and John Rockwell, music critic, wrote out checks in March 2003.

 

-- Number of Pulitzer Prize awardees: Two. Barry Bearak, 2002 winner for international reporting; and Paul Goldberger, awarded a prize in 1984 for criticism.

 

-- Six people contributed to the Democratic National Committee.

 

-- Two members gave to a Green Party candidate.

 

-- One donated to the Republican National Committee, back in 1992.

 

-- Number who chipped in for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate campaign: 4.

 

-- Only two staff members wrote checks for Sen. Charles Schumer.

 

The paper’s code of conduct, of course, does not apply to the extended Sulzberger family. However, I must point out family members’ donations because they listed the New York Times as their employer on FEC forms. Contributions from Sulzberger relatives illustrate the breadth of political giving on the part of people connected with the paper.

 

A few highlights of the family’s contributions:

 

-- Most recent donation: On February 3, 2003, from Cathy F. Sulzberger.

 

-- Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., wrote out a check for $500 in September 1999 to the Handgun Control Voter Education Fund.

 

-- Single largest donor: Marion S. Heiskell; sister of Arthur Sulzberger, Sr.

 

In the Times’ Guidelines on Integrity, staff members are to “do nothing that might erode reader’s faith and confidence in our news column. This means that staff members should be vigilant in avoiding any activity that might pose an actual or apparent conflict of interest and thus threaten the newspaper’s ethical standing.” [3]

 

The FEC files, in my opinion, clearly show the Times has not vigorously enforced a key provision of the code of conduct, especially for the four staff members who donated to politicians after the code was revised in January 2003.

 

I ask that an investigation immediately begin to determine if the staff members listed below broke company standards in giving to politicians and causes.

 

A prompt reply is requested.

 

Regards,

 

Michael Petrelis

San Francisco, CA

Ph: 415-621-6267

Sources:

 

1. http://www.nytco.com/company-properties-times-coe.html

 

2. http://www.tray.com

 

3. http://www.nytco.com/company-properties-times-integrity.html

 

^^

 

[Key: (D) = Democrat, (G) = Green, (P-C) = Pro-Choice, ® = Republican.]

 

 

 

PAST AND CURRENT TIMES EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FEC DONATIONS

 

Ahmad-Taylor, Tyrone O.

06/24/92 Clinton for President Committee (D) $1,000

 

Araton, Harvey; Sports reporter

05/17/02 Carden for Congress $250

 

Arenson, Karen W.; Education reporter

07/16/02 Friends of Scott Stringer (D) $1,000

08/22/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $1,000

06/22/95 Clinton/Gore 96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000

08/29/94 Robb for the Senate (D) $500

 

Baker, Diane

03/16/98 Stephanie Tubbs Jones for US Congress (D) $250

02/10/98 Ferraro for Senate 98 (D) $2,000

 

Bearak, Barry Leon; New Delhi bureau, 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner (Married to Celia Dugger)

07/17/00 Dugger for US Senate (G) $250

 

Binder, David; Washington bureau

11/18/99 Bill Bradley for President Inc (D) $500

 

Blinkhorn, Ann

02/16/96 Kennedy for Senate 94 (D) $1,000

 

Borkowski, Monica C.; Washington bureau researcher

05/14/02 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250

02/14/01 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250

07/20/99 Torricelli for US Senate Inc (D) $250

 

Brengle, Katherine

06/30/00 DNC Services Committee Inc (D) $1,000

 

Brusseau, Antoine

08/11/00 DNC Services Corporation (D) $200

 

Burros, Donald

10/10/85 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc. (P-C) $500

 

Burros, Marion; Food writer

10/10/85 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $500

03/07/84 Mondale for President Committee Inc (D) $1,000

 

Cohen, Daniel H.

10/21/98 Schumer 98 (D) $250

06/30/97 Schumer 98 (D) $500

 

Costello, Robert A.

03/19/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $950

 

Curtis, Charlotte; Society columnist, deceased

10/19/82 Bob Shamanksy for Congress Committee $500

08/19/80 Bob Shamansky for Congress Committee $500

 

Dobrzynski, Judith H.; Foreign correspondent

02/14/96 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000

04/12/95 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000

 

Domizio, Mike

09/28/92 Republican National Committee ® $200

 

Dugger, Celia W.; New Delhi bureau (Married to Barry Bearak)

07/17/00 Dugger for US Senate $250

 

Flippen, Alan D.; Project planner

11/16/00 DNC Services Committee Inc (D) $500

 

Gefter, Philip; Photo editor

03/22/99 DNC Non-Federal Individual (D) $250

 

Goldberger, Paul; Music critic, 1984 Pulitzer Prize winner

11/09/95 Clinton/Gore 96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000

 

Gould, Carole

06/30/97 Feldman for Congress $250

 

Gruson, Sydney; Foreign correspondent, deceased

11/15/91 Wilder for President Committee (D) $250

05/19/87 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $1,000

03/24/87 Friends of Gary Hart 1988 Inc (D) $1,000

03/05/84 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $500

07/26/83 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $500

03/04/83 Americans With Hart Inc (D) $500

06/27/80 Javits Campaign Committee ® $500

05/02/80 Hart for Senate Campaign Committee Inc (D) $250

 

Innelli, Frank

11/20/89 John Innelli for Congress $1,000

 

Kaplan, Andrea R.; NYT Co.’s Women’s Magazine

10/23/92 New York State Democratic Committee (D) $200

 

Knowles , Joseph

10/18/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton for US Senate Committee Inc (D) $200

 

Lyall, Sarah; London bureau

09/29/03 Joe Torsella for Congress (D) $2,000

 

Maslin, Janet; Book critic

03/31/03 Dean for America (D) $500

 

Medenica, Gordon

03/25/97 Friends of Houghton ® $500

 

Molyneaux, Michael

04/27/99 Friends of Tom Byrne $250

10/01/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $250

10/01/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $250

 

Morris, Olin F.; New York Times Broadcasting Group

09/06/00 Marion Berry for Congress (D) $500

08/24/99 Ed Bryant for Congress ® $200

02/22/95 Alexander for President Inc ® $1,000

 

Moyler, Freeman

04/17/94 Committee to Elect Al Sharpton (D) $1,000

05/22/92 Committee to Elect Al Sharpton (D) $1,000

 

Newhouse, Nancy R.

01/27/98 Schumer 98 (D) $250

 

Richards, David B.

10/19/94 Ben Jones for Congress Committee (D) $250

 

Rockwell, John; Music critic

03/07/03 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $2,500

02/04/02 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $1,000

05/24/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee Inc (D) $1,000

03/23/00 Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $750

02/24/00 Hillary Rodham Clinton Committee (D) $1,000

06/08/98 Bayley for Congress 98 $500

02/23/98 Bayley Senate 98 $500

04/17/88 New Yorkers for Jesse Jackson 88 (D) $500

01/09/80 Brown for President 80 (D) $1,000

 

Salembier, Valerie

04/20/94 Nita Lowey for Congress (D) $500

 

Shaff, Marian L.

10/24/94 Kennedy for Senate (D) $1,000

 

Sussman, Michael H.; Web producer

12/07/03 Dean for America (D) $250

 

Thomas, Robert McG, Jr.; Obituaries writer, deceased

02/06/89 Friends of Sam Beard for the US Senate $250

 

Vickers, Marcia

10/29/96 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C)) $300

 

Voereker, John

06/16/94 Tom Duane for Congress (D) $250

 

Wade, Betsy; Travel writer

0/14/01 Diane E. Watson for Congress (D) $383

 

Wayne, D. Leslie

10/02/95 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $300

 

Ypsilantis, Eleftherios

02/25/92 Tsongas Committee Inc (D) $300

 

Zane, Peder

06/03/96 Brian Steel for Congress $711

 

 

posted by Michael 12:06 PM

 

 

SULZBERGER FAMILY MEMBERS’ DONATIONS

 

 

Fuhrman, Carol Fox; Arthur Sr.’s second wife

10/05/1992 November Victory '92-New York $1,000

06/16/1988 George Bush for President Inc Compliance ® $1,000

 

Golden, Michael; Ruth Holmberg’s son

12/01/93 Senate Victory 94 $1,000

05/14/93 Friends of Jim Sasser $250

11/30/92 Moynihan Committee (D) $500

 

Golden, Stephen; Ruth Holmberg’s son

06/10/97 Schumer 98 (D) $500

 

Heiskell, Marion S.; Iphigene's daughter

07/18/00 Serrano for Congress (D) $500

10/22/98 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $1,000

05/06/98 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $1,000

10/15/96 Dan Williams for Congress $250

09/19/96 Dan Williams for Congress $250

06/28/96 Friends of Maurice Hinchey (D) $250

03/12/96 Minnick for Senate (D) $1,000

03/12/96 Minnick for Senate (D) $1,000

12/30/95 Reed Committee $250

08/26/94 Tony Smith for Congress $500

11/14/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate (D) (-$1,000 Refunded)

09/30/92 Tony Smith for US Senate $500

08/19/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate $1,000

07/14/92 Liz Holtzman for Senate $1,000

09/27/91 John Glenn for Senate Committee (D) $1,000

04/25/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Committee (D) $1,000

04/25/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Committee (D) $1,000

02/21/90 Yates for Congress Committee $1,000

09/20/88 Women’s Campaign Fund Inc (P-C) $1,000

04/21/88 Dukakis for President Committee Inc (D) $1,000

06/25/85 Moynihan Committee Inc (D) $500

06/27/80 Anderson for President Committee (I) $500

 

Holmberg, Ruth; Iphigene’s daughter

07/22/02 Bob Clement for United States Senate (D) $1,000

10/06/00 Tenn. Democratic Victory 2000 – Fed Acct (D) $5,000

10/04/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $700

10/04/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $700

09/19/00 Callaway Congressional Committee $300

05/26/00 DNC Services Corporation (D) $5,000

02/26/99 Gore 2000 Inc (D) $1,000

07/22/96 Tennessee Democratic Victory ’96 (D) $5,000

12/01/95 Clinton/Gore ’96 Primary Committee Inc (D) $1,000

10/24/84 Jim Hunt Committee (D) $500

 

Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs; Iphigene’s son

03/06/02 Friends of Houghton ® $500

08/15/97 Friends of Houghton ® $500

10/22/96 Friends of Houghton ® $250

02/02/95 New York Republican County Committee ® $1,000

07/29/94 Friends of Houghton ® $500

12/03/93 Senate Victory 94 $1,000

09/16/92 Terry Sanford for US Senate (D) $500

08/20/92 Friends of Houghton ® $500

04/03/86 Terry Sanford for US Senate (D) $500

 

Sulzberger, Arthur Ochs, Jr.; Iphigene’s grandson

09/28/99 Handgun Control Voter Education Fund $500

 

Sulzberger, Cathy; Arthur Sr.’s adopted daughter

02/03/04 Van Hollen for Congress (D) $250

11/04/02 Van Hollen for Congress (D) $500

10/08/02 Citizens for Harkin (D) $250

07/22/02 Citizens for Harkin (D) $250

07/28/98 Elizabeth Kelley for Congress $200

 

Sulzberger, Iphigene Ochs; the matriarch

11/07/88 Christopher Shay for Congress Committee ® $500

07/07/87 Christopher Shay for Congress Committee ® $500

06/08/86 Clark Abt for US Senate $1,000

09/10/85 Clark Abt for US Senate $1,000

 

Sulzberger, Judith F.; Iphigene’s daughter

10/29/92 Clinton/Gore 92 General Election Compliance Fund (D) $1,000

09/24/92 DNC Services Corporation (D) $2,000

06/24/92 Clinton for President Committee (D) $1,000

06/29/91 People for Mrazek Senatorial Campaign Committee (D) $1,000

06/06/90 Republican Pro-Choice PAC ® $350

 

I havn't bothered to do the calculations, but its pretty clear most of the dinero went to the Dems.

[Guest thebigjig]

well thats just swell, but one question... if most of the donations had gone to the republicans, would this topic have even been brought up?

[Guest MikeSC]

well thats just swell, but one question... if most of the donations had gone to the republicans, would this topic have even been brought up?

Definitely.

 

After all, WHO could see NY Times employees giving to Republicans?

-=Mike

[Ripper 0]

well somebody had to get more donations...whats da deal.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

well thats just swell, but one question... if most of the donations had gone to the republicans, would this topic have even been brought up?

Definitely.

 

After all, WHO could see NY Times employees giving to Republicans?

-=Mike

There's an old saying in the journalism biz' that goes something like this: If the headline would go "Dog Bites Man," then that's not news. But if it's "Man Bites Dog," then that's a story.

 

If the GOP got more donations from NYT employees, then that would have been "Man Bites Dog."

 

Next thing you know you'll tell me Republicans got more donations from Wall Street Journal employees than Democrats...

[Guest MikeSC]

well thats just swell, but one question... if most of the donations had gone to the republicans, would this topic have even been brought up?

Definitely.

 

After all, WHO could see NY Times employees giving to Republicans?

-=Mike

There's an old saying in the journalism biz' that goes something like this: If the headline would go "Dog Bites Man," then that's not news. But if it's "Man Bites Dog," then that's a story.

 

If the GOP got more donations from NYT employees, then that would have been "Man Bites Dog."

 

Next thing you know you'll tell me Republicans got more donations from Wall Street Journal employees than Democrats...

That's as likely as the rumor that Kerry served in Vietnam.

-=Mike

[Vyce 0]

Stop with your conspiracy theories, Mike.

 

Kerry served in Vietnam. Mankind has walked on the moon. Dick Cheney and Haliburton.

 

Utter hogwash.

[Guest MikeSC]

Stop with your conspiracy theories, Mike.

 

Kerry served in Vietnam. Mankind has walked on the moon. Dick Cheney and Haliburton.

 

Utter hogwash.

Um, did Bush actually pass tax cuts and do they, in fact, maul kittens?

-=Mike

[NoCalMike 0]

Is this anymore newsworthy then asking who Foxnews channel's anchors are giving campaign contributions too? Or how about the people in charge of these media outlets writing out checks in the millions to their particular party. Clear Channel is definately buying their way toward a monopoly.

[Guest Cerebus]

www.fec.gov

www.opensecrets.org

 

Feel free to show us who is giving what to whom. FAUX NEWS LOL 2004 is pretty openly biased, but I'd say NY Times is much more closet bias which makes it much more fun to expose imo at least.

[NoCalMike 0]

www.fec.gov

www.opensecrets.org

 

Feel free to show us who is giving what to whom. FAUX NEWS LOL 2004 is pretty openly biased, but I'd say NY Times is much more closet bias which makes it much more fun to expose imo at least.

Right, but Fox doesn't CLAIM to be biased.

[NoCalMike 0]

I like Peter Lewis idea, to legalize marijuana. Geez, he has given a lot of money for that cause. Wow. That is a neat little website, Thanks cerebus

[Vyce 0]

Stop with your conspiracy theories, Mike.

 

Kerry served in Vietnam.  Mankind has walked on the moon.  Dick Cheney and Haliburton.

 

Utter hogwash.

Um, did Bush actually pass tax cuts and do they, in fact, maul kittens?

-=Mike

That's actually true.

 

And I'll tell you something else, something the government doesn't want you to know......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

........Oswald really WAS a patsy. The real shooter?

 

The Bush tax cuts.

 

You didn't hear that from me.

 

*hears knock on door*

 

Oh shit, the secret CIA death squads are here.

[Guest MikeSC]

Stop with your conspiracy theories, Mike.

 

Kerry served in Vietnam.  Mankind has walked on the moon.  Dick Cheney and Haliburton.

 

Utter hogwash.

Um, did Bush actually pass tax cuts and do they, in fact, maul kittens?

-=Mike

That's actually true.

 

And I'll tell you something else, something the government doesn't want you to know......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

........Oswald really WAS a patsy. The real shooter?

 

The Bush tax cuts.

 

You didn't hear that from me.

 

*hears knock on door*

 

Oh shit, the secret CIA death squads are here.

Dear Mr. Tenet,

 

I don't believe him. I think he's kying. We all know that Kerry killed Kennedy --- and then Dean ate his brain.

-=Mike

[Guest BDC]

Stop with your conspiracy theories, Mike.

 

Kerry served in Vietnam.  Mankind has walked on the moon.  Dick Cheney and Haliburton.

 

Utter hogwash.

Um, did Bush actually pass tax cuts and do they, in fact, maul kittens?

-=Mike

That's actually true.

 

And I'll tell you something else, something the government doesn't want you to know......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

........Oswald really WAS a patsy. The real shooter?

 

The Bush tax cuts.

 

You didn't hear that from me.

 

*hears knock on door*

 

Oh shit, the secret CIA death squads are here.

Dear Mr. Tenet,

 

I don't believe him. I think he's kying. We all know that Kerry killed Kennedy --- and then Dean ate his brain.

-=Mike

Ich bien ein YARGH!

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Does it really matter what a dead person, or what a food columnist, donated to?

 

THIS FOOD COLUMN IS NOTHING BUT LIBERAL TRASH. THE RECCOMENDATION FOR THE TOFUBURGER IS ALL WRONG AND IS SIMPLY FUELED BY HIPPIE HATE FOR AMERICA'S PROUD BEEF INDUSTRY.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Does it really matter what a dead person, or what a food columnist, donated to?

 

THIS FOOD COLUMN IS NOTHING BUT LIBERAL TRASH. THE RECCOMENDATION FOR THE TOFUBURGER IS ALL WRONG AND IS SIMPLY FUELED BY HIPPIE HATE FOR AMERICA'S PROUD BEEF INDUSTRY.

Heck yeah. I don't want any pro-organic veggie propaganda in my recipes...