The Wall Street Journal Applauds The New York Times

I’m glad that my interview with the New York Times continues to resonate. James Freeman highlights the piece in the Wall Street Journal’s “Best of the Web” column. It opens:

This column sometimes notes the shortcomings of the New York Times so it seems only fair to credit the Gray Lady when she gets it right. With refreshing humility and openness to constructive criticism, a Times editor considers the manner in which the newspaper addresses a speaker’s point of view.

And it ends:

Kudos to Patrick Healy. Let’s hope that people across the media industry will take Josh Blackman’s criticism to heart.

Let’s hope so!

After reading about Bob Woodward’s new book this morning, I’ve reflected on the relationship between journalists and sources. I treat my connections to reporters with seriousness, though I never pretend they are friends who owe me anything. The bond is transactional, sometimes counterproductive, but often fruitful. Some of these relationships have developed over nearly two decades.

Most reporters do not finish their career where they started. More often than not, they begin at smaller outlets, and if they’re successful, rise through the ranks. I make it a point to respond to journalists at smaller outlets, partly because I recognize that this is a relationship I can nurture over time. In fact, one reporter who started out at the Houston Chronicle moved on to the Wall Street Journal. Other reporters who began in print moved into television. And so on.

You never know when a connection with a reporter will come in handy. Over the years, I’ve had pieces of information that I could share with just the right person at exactly the right moment, all thanks to the relationship I’ve built. Anecdotally, I’ve noticed that the reporters who excel at fairly engaging both sides are the ones most likely to advance in the field. I hope the reporters at the Times can now set a tone for media balance, and that tone will ripple through the industry.