For the Record

2020 Coverage:

New York Times Editorial Page Editor James Bennet "will recuse himself from any work generated by the opinion desk related to the 2020 presidential election" if his brother, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), "announces an exploratory committee or a potential run for president." According to spokesperson Eileen Murphy, "certain instances will have to be judged on a case-by-case basis" for the duration of the potential campaign.

In memoriam:

1975 Music winner Dominick Argento died Wednesday. He was 91. Considered "one of the great American opera composers of all time," Argento was based at the University of Minnesota for his entire career. "For me, it's been a love affair with my community here," he reflected in 2016. Many of his works, including his Pulitzer-winning song cycle "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf," were inspired by "the diaries and letters of writers and artists."

Offensive Yearbook Photo:

USA Today Editor in Chief Nicole Carroll apologized for her role in editing a 1988-89 Arizona State University yearbook that contained images of two white students dressed as Mike Tyson and Robin Givens, wearing black makeup. The photographs came to light as part of a broader review of 900 yearbooks conducted by Carroll's news organization. "As journalists, we must hold ourselves accountable as we do others, and it is important to call myself out for this poor judgment," said Carroll, who also is a Pulitzer Board member.

"Not Credible":

As part of an ongoing hostile takeover attempt, hedge fund MNG Enterprises launched a "Save Gannett" website after the latter company reported a year-to-year loss in revenue in excess of $100 million. In a statement, MNG said: "Gannett's disappointing year-end earnings and guidance underscore MNG's concerns about the health and direction of the business." However, outgoing Gannett CEO Robert Dickey said he was "pleased" by "growth in digital advertising," and noted that subscriptions have grown by nearly 50% since last year.

"Unusual Beat":

Miami Herald Guantánamo Bay reporter Carol Rosenberg has taken a buyout from McClatchy and now will to cover the facility for The New York Times. Rosenberg's salary will be partially underwritten by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Executive Editor Dean Baquet and Washington Bureau Chief Elisabeth Bumiller lauded Rosenberg's work in a joint statement: "We believe Guantánamo will continue to be a major story. Eventually there may be trials. And in the meantime it remains one of the most powerful legacies of America’s war on terrorism."

"Splitsville":

Vanity Fair Cultural Critic James Wolcott is leaving the magazine after 36 years. "[I] was able to witness the rise & fall of empires from an ideal perch," he said in a follow-up tweet. "It's been sweet, thanks all, & see you around the next bend."

"That Will Not Change":

New York Times Publisher A. G. Sulzberger has issued a statement in response to a Wednesday tweet by President Trump in which he excoriated the newspaper as "a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE." "In demonizing the free press as the enemy, simply for performing its role of asking difficult questions and bringing uncomfortable information to light, President Trump is retreating from a distinctly American principle," Sulzberger said.

Libel Wars:

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas "called for reconsideration of a landmark First Amendment precedent" in the Court's denial of certiorati in McKee v. Cosby, a civil suit filed by one of Bill Cosby's alleged victims, "criticizing the 1964 decision [New York Times v. Sullivan] that the Constitution creates a higher barrier for public figures to claim libel." "New York Times and the Court's decisions extending it were policy-driven decisions masquerading as constitutional law," Thomas wrote. "If the Constitution does not require public figures to satisfy an actual-malice standard in state-law defamation suits, then neither should we."

"More Essential Than Ever":

Egyptian officials detained New York Times correspondent and former Cairo Bureau Chief David Kirkpatrick on Monday "without explanation." Kirkpatrick was ultimately released and "forced" on a flight back to London. The move is considered to be an "escalation of a severe crackdown against the news media under Egypt’s strongman leader, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi." According to Michael Slackman, Times international editor, "We are deeply disturbed that the government of Egypt detained our correspondent, kept him incommunicado, denied him food or water and refused to allow him into the country."

"Reliable and Sustainable":

The Knight Foundation announced Tuesday "that it would double its investment in strengthening journalism to $300 million over five years, with a focus on building the future of local news and information, which are essential for democracy to function." Beneficiaries include the Report for America national service program ($5 million) and ProPublica's Local Reporting network ($5 million).