Liz Spayd, The New York Times

Liz Spayd

The New York Times

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • The New York Times
  • Columbia Journalism Review

Past articles by Liz:

The Public Editor Signs Off

The New York Times may no longer have a public editor, but if that role’s extinguished, who will watch the watchdog? → Read More

The Bombing, the Crime Scene Photos and the Outcry

The smoke had barely cleared from the Manchester attack before The New York Times ran forensic-evidence images. British officials were angry. So were readers. → Read More

Vague Guidelines Lead to a Misstep on Gender Pronouns

At a time when society’s views on gender identity are outpacing the language to describe it, easily referenced rules can prevent embarrassing mistakes. → Read More

The Real Power of Journalism? Blockbuster Scoops

The best way to build reader confidence is often just to let the facts of a story speak for themselves. → Read More

A Late Entry by The Times Into the Fact-Check Biz

The paper has started a new unit aimed at holding politicians’ feet to the fire. → Read More

Bret Stephens Takes On Climate Change. Readers Unleash Their Fury.

The New York Times’s new Op-Ed writer drew a strong reaction when he questioned the data on climate science in his first column. Now what? → Read More

Intemperate Words, Temperate News Coverage

When a public figure utters a slur and news organizations use euphemisms to describe it, a question comes up: Who’s really being protected? → Read More

Seeking More Voices, Even if Some Don’t Want to Hear Them

After the election, The Times promised to include more viewpoints in its report. It has, but some readers have not embraced it. → Read More

An Op-Ed Author Omits His Crimes, and The Times Does Too

Readers objected when a writer mentioned his life sentences but not that he was convicted of murder. This issue of credentials has come up before. → Read More

A Crossword as a Second Chance Troubles Many Readers

The New York Times crossword editor, Will Shortz, ran a puzzle by a man in prison, but some said they were appalled by his crime. → Read More

A ‘Community’ of One: The Times Gets Tailored

The Times will begin an ambitious new effort to customize online news delivery to readers, but should keep privacy in mind. → Read More

Snoop Dogg, Bow Wow and an Ill-Advised Retweet

Should a Times culture writer have commented on a vulgar tweet by a rapper? → Read More

Does Times Reporting Really Support Donald Trump’s Wiretap Claim?

New York Times articles about wiretaps, Russians and the Obama administration superficially parallel the president’s accusations. Below the surface, the picture changes. → Read More

The Declining Fortunes of Women at The Times

Women have skidded down the power structure at the paper since a shake-up at the top three years ago. It’s improved, but there’s a long way to go. → Read More

The Risk of Unnamed Sources? Unconvinced Readers

In covering some of the biggest stories, The Times is rightfully granting sources anonymity. But the paper could do more to earn readers’ trust. → Read More

The Reporter, the Top Model, and the First Lady

The reprimand of a reporter who disparaged Melania Trump at a party offers a good reminder to all staffers here: You’re always representing The Times. → Read More

When Details in a Story Can Put People at Risk

A recent Times story about undocumented students at a California university included detailed, and unnecessary, information about where they live on campus. → Read More

A Hard Look at Times Editing in the Digital Era

The Times newsroom has long been famous for its many layers of editing, but fundamental change appears likely to come soon. → Read More

How News on a Times-Affiliated Site Drew Praise From Glenn Beck

An article about the Women’s March published on a site associated with The Times, but completely distinct from it, became a right-wing crowd pleaser. → Read More

Can Dads Parent While Mom Is Marching? Do You Really Have to Ask?

An article about fathers in Montclair, N.J., who watched their children while their wives attended protests in Washington and New York was ill-conceived. → Read More