MAY 13 • 2021 | 33
and economics of my home-
town, Bay City, which flipped
from a Democratic strong-
hold to support Trump in
2016 and again in 2020.
Can you tell us about your
new role with the Publisher’s
Office?
I recently stepped away
from the newsroom to take
on a role as deputy editor in
the Publisher’s Office. A.G.
Sulzberger, who took over as
the paper’s publisher in 2018,
needed someone to work as
his day-to-day partner, espe-
cially when he took on the
additional role of chairman
of the board of the Times
earlier this year. I am helping
A.G. on a range of issues,
from our plans to return to
the office to how to improve
our workplace and our cul-
ture.
I will chair a newly formed
committee of newsroom lead-
ers who will evaluate every
request for outside projects,
from TV gigs to book and
movie leaves. Times report-
ers are getting increasingly
approached for such work, as
they are often the first ones
to find stories. But we need
to be consistent in how we
decide who gets to do what,
which wasn’t always the case.
Last year, a Times op-ed edi-
tor and writer, Bari Weiss,
resigned, claiming a cancel
culture for NYT journalists
who deviate from “progres-
sive” orthodoxy. Also, she
alleged bullying and harass-
ment from fellow employees,
including criticism for “writ-
ing about the Jews again.”
How is the NYT responding to
these allegations?
We appreciate the many
contributions that Bari made
to Times Opinion. I’m per-
sonally committed to ensur-
ing that the Times continues
to publish voices, experiences
and viewpoints from across
the political spectrum in
the Opinion report. We see
every day how impactful and
important that approach is,
especially through the out-
sized influence the Times’
opinion journalism has on
the national conversation.
Can you tell us about the pub-
lic-facing side of your role?
I already represent the
Times when I moderate panel
discussions, which I do on a
regular basis for either NYT
events or organizations like
the World Economic Forum.
But there is more opportunity
for the Times to engage with
leaders from across business,
politics and culture.
I hope to restart Publisher’s
Office sessions, convening
the most prominent lead-
ers from around the coun-
try, the city and the world
with reporters and editors
from across the newsroom.
Likewise, we will aim to meet
with prominent leaders in
places when traveling around
the country and the world.
This will all be much easier
when the pandemic recedes,
of course.
What does it mean to you on a
personal level to grow with the
Times?
I’m incredibly honored to
work for the Times. Our mis-
sion, to cover the world with-
out fear or favor and seek
the truth, is essential to our
democracy and more import-
ant than ever. We face many
challenges, especially how to
cover a country as divided
as the U.S. is right now. But
I’m excited to contribute and
think that my perspective of
being from Michigan helps
both root and guide me.
Rebecca
Blumenstein
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