July 23, 2008 10:38AM
Profit Plunge at the New York Times
By Elizabeth MacDonald
The New York Times (NYT) fell as low as $12.38 this morning after its second quarter earnings missed estimates. Profits plunged 82% to $21 mn versus the $118 mn posted in the same period a year ago, a period that was helped along by the one-time sale of an asset.
The share plunge is the lowest since July 1995. An historic come-down for the newspaper of record, given that in 2003, the stock traded at $45, notes Frazer Rice, a private banker in New York.
Print ads dollars at the Times continue to shrivel, sending operating income in a nosedive, as ad dollars continued their inexorable march toward the Internet. Hotels, automakers, airlines, all hurt by high energy prices, have pulled back sharply.
What exactly is wrong with the Times’ business model? “Rightly or wrongly, the New York Times has had to serve three functions,” says Rice, a private banker in New York. “One, inform the world; two, act as the moral barometer of the nation; three, turn a profit. All three of which are vital legs in the New York Times’ stool. The last one, turning a profit, is the one they are having, as the Irish would say, a spot of bother.” So what’s the problem? Although the Times has “many interesting properties like the Boston Globe and about.com,” Rice says, it “has managed to be a follower in the information age as opposed to a driver.”
Specifically, the Times is “being taken over by Google as people’s news gathering tastes were dictated by the marketing information that search engines had as opposed and the costs of newsprint and bureau chiefs soared to through the roof,” Rice explains. “The fact is that the Timesis the brand leader in a product that is becoming more and more commoditized and whose brand is being co-opted by its individual journalists,” adding, how many people do you know who buy the Times solely to read “Maureen Dowd, Thomas Friedman or Paul Krugman?”
The Times is hoping against hope that its mix of assets, including The Boston Globe, the International Herald Tribune, About.com, regional newspapers and a classical music radio station in New York can pull it out of its corkscrew dive south.
How to fix it? “Perhaps a relationship with Google or another search engine makes sense,” Rice says. “The Times has failed to make any headway in the digital age, why not seek out the advice of the people who are making a killing in it?” Stay tuned.
Comment by Tom
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
This is Great! Maybe they can all go to work for Hillary or Obama.
Comment by Jim Rogers
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:25 am
It,s no wonder they are failing. They are the most one sided liberal paper I have ever read. I hope they go out of business.
Comment by Richard Terrell
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
It couldn’t happen to a more appropriate newspaper. One of the most biased, liberal papers in the nation is having trouble in this “capitalist” society as they try to attract advertising. I wonder why? If they had their way, they would be the “spokesman” for the Obama presidency. No dissent allowed. You will shut up, McCain or we will deal with you. Your opinions are not welcome. We know what’s best for you.
Comment by james d stout
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 am
i hope the pinko commie paper totally closes all of its doors!
Comment by chuck
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Liz this has been going on for sometime now.
Vaniity Fair magazine has had some wonderful in depth articles about the problems at the times. I believe the reason that it has lost readership,circulation is the fact that it went left wing. I believe that turning down Senator McCain’s Op-Ed is going to acerbate its problems more; the profits have been decrasing over the past few years. Makes me wonder if it’s ripe for a merger and aquisition takeover sometime in the future. Already some of the leading liberal papers like the Tribune and Los Angeles Times has had lay offs. Now if the down profit trend continues reporter’s layoffs from this grey lady may be in its future.
In my 9/11 collection I have one thier books on thier coverage of the tradegy. I glanced over the articles and it was some best of the best reporting I’ve read. I read NYT accounts in other books too.
What has done the times in? I believe with real time,mobile internets now, the news consumer has found other outlets with different perspectives on getting thier news. I can tell you about the local paper here the Vicksburg Post here,a family owned paper for generations,it’s not preforming to well either. Becouse it’s in competition with the Internet and the Jackson Clarion Ledger,USA today but the news consumer has more outlets for for information.
What does the family which owns the New York Times need to do? In my honest opinion: fresh leadership from publishing to editorial. A new branding way to reach its readers etc. It needs a real top down makeover if its going to reach the younger generations,keep its audiences young and old. If not the Flagship Times will be another liberal paper that bites the dust.
Comment by Tom Bargeron
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
NYT troubles were earned and are are well deserved.
Comment by Joe
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
If the NY TImes keeps on inserting views as news then it better expect lower salesa and income. There just isn’t enough fish being sold to support all that ‘fish wrap’ that the NY Times prints. Why don’t they change the name of the paper to the DNC Times and leave it at that?
Comment by tom
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
If their price dropped to a dollar it still would be overvalued:
As the saying goes,” You Reap what you Sow”
Comment by Carla, Ballwin, MO
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I’ve been a longtime subscriber to the NY Times Sunday edition. Since rejecting McCain’s op-ed rebuttal, I’m thinking of cancelling my subscription. McCain/Romney 2008!!!
Comment by trace
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I will throw a party the day it is announced that the NYT has folded. We will all wrap fish and sing “ding dong the witch is dead”
Comment by bill mcniff
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Maybe with this profit plunge they will get the message and start to fairly report the news and not add their bias or make the news.
Comment by Walter Bennett
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
They need to understand that unbiased reporting favoring one political viewpoint above all others will hurt their bottom line.
Comment by Tim
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I was thinking the other day - what if FOX bought the paper and turned it into a “fair and balanced” factual paper with equal treatment of issues? What a novel idea that would be. I think it would help save it - otherwise, good riddance.
Comment by Jim Ellis
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Great article! Now I know to avoid using ABOUT.COM. I didn’t even know they owned it.
Comment by H. Jones
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Just like Air America…right down the tubes. No wonder Liberals (oops..Progressives) hate open competitive markets.
Comment by Cap'n Andy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
It may be time for Rupert Murdoch to get out his checkbook and pick up this miserable rag at a bargain price. Then he can re-format the Times, give us some worthwhile reading material on Sunday morning and make a pile of dough, all at the same time.
Comment by Alex Badme, Albuquerque, NM
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Very appropriate for the National Enquirer puls very liberal biased rag-sheet. FAILURE for those who invent the news and try and influence others.
Comment by Elated
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
When’s the funeral. I want to send some cold, dead and black flowers. Of course the Demon-Crats will cry foul becuse of the fairness doctrine. Just like Air (Error) America - a liberal rag or radio business will not last.
Comment by Rob - a friend of John Galt
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
It just goes to show you that Capitalism still works. The NYT caters to the pinkos, so maybe they should seek funding from the Government. I’m sure that Jon Corzine (the Governor of the People’s State of New Jersey) would gladly saddle us with more debt to prop them up. In the interest of equal access of course…
Comment by Dan Sergiacomi
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
If The New York Times fails, how will Al Qaeda
and The Taliban get their respectives messages
to the American people ?
The editorial board at this alleged newspaper
should be indicted for treason. I do believe
the end is near.
Comment by cjo011
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Wonderful News keep it coming.
Comment by greg
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Liberal print is dead! Hope there is more rags to follow.
Comment by rob lapham
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Ms. MacDonald: What’s the NYT’s circulation trend and, is there any discernable apparent connection between that and their left-of-center bias?
Comment by Ernie Prigge
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Only risk in NYT failure is that Obama is elected and he gets the Dem congress to bail it out by making it the paper version of PBS. Remember, Fasists/communists always control their proaganda media.
Comment by Randy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hooray for Fox News for keeping the full court press on the NYT. Maybe Rupert Murdoch will buy NYT and turn it back into a profitable, balanced publication.
Comment by David
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Ya know, I can’t add to the list of comments already posted. Previous posters have said it all. Buh-bye, NYT.
Comment by Patricia
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
It is about time that liberal Newspaper does down the drain to the gutter enough is enough. Too bad they can take their liberal friends with them.
Comment by Fred Buchanan
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
The NY Times brought this on themselves.
Their incessant need to try to harm the Bush Administration in any way they can, they leak information that may/has cause damage to our ability to fight our enemies. If they tried to do the same thing during WWII, the paper would have been shut down as the traitors they are.
I was called by a NYT subscription sales agent about a month ago. He YELLED at me when I told him I would not buy the Times because of their obvious liberal bias, and their inability to report the news from a neutral point of view. I said “I don’t need my news pre-digested.” He called me a back-woods country f*** Republican…. I told him I grew up in Boston, and live in LA, so how could I a country f*** Republican? He hung up on me…
If this is a reflection of how the NY Times does business, it is my sincere hope that they fold as an organization.
Comment by Nord Foster
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I want a paper to give me the news not sell me on their opinion based on the mix of stories they provide. The Times is a propaganda rag, nothing more. Fidel would be proud to have it in Cuba. RIP NTY Times, I no longer buy it.
Comment by Ken
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Ditto, ditto and ditto Love IT!
Comment by Larry
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I wouldnt line a birdcage with the NY Times. I can understand a paper having a liberal slant, but they take it way too far.
Comment by David Dalton
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I hope it rolls over for good. When you stop reporting the news in favor of promoting your views this is the result. ABC, CBS and NBC is not far behind! Just witness their pandering to Obama and his trip and virtually ignoring McCain.
Comment by Bill Paterson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Revenues for all papers are sliding,not because of liberal or conservative leaning but due to the changing ways we get our news.
Comment by saneperson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
It’s fascinating that a group of right-wing bloggers see it fit to castigate for the New York Times for one-sided reporting, which it does not engage in - having both conservative and liberal columnists - and doing so, in the most idiotic and hypocritical forum imaginable: any related to Rupert Murdoch.
God, people, whom are you fooling? Look at yourselves, and stop throwing stones as long as you reside in the glasshouse constructed by Murdoch and Cavuto/Ailes.
And - by the way - if you have trouble comprehending any of the words above (which is very likely, given the usual readership base for this trash), consider picking up a book and reading it.
Comment by Tom Tassara
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
The best part is that they don’t understand why. It’s probably all just a vast right-wing conspiracy.
Comment by Greg Costa
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Rush signs a contract for 400m and the Times tanks…get used to it lefty.
Comment by Mac
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Liz, Has the great prophet O’Reilly indeed foreseen the doom of this once great icon of the press? Their undeclared war on FOXNews(among others) and their one-sided, liberal bias has driven away once faithful readers. I won’t even do their crossword puzzles any more!
Mac in Miami
Comment by Ross
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’d like to hear what Bill O’Reilly has to say about this! Good riddance NYT. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving rag.
Comment by bill kelly
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
GOOD
Comment by Boondocker
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
NYT may need to seek funding from Soros and Turner. They are going the way of Air America and the dodo bird.
Comment by Jon
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hi Liz, Is it any wonder why they are failing? Just so happens that I see the NYT, NBC, CBN, ABC all going the same way unless they start reporting the news with out all the bias and they’re opinions. FOX is our channel.
Comment by Bill Johnson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
It’s all because they have gotten ill drinking the Obama koolaid.
Comment by Bill Johnson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
It’s because they have all gotten ill from drinking the Obama Koolaid.
Comment by Russell
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Not only is their reporting ultra liberal only, but they make up facts to go along with their one-side stories. They can’t fold fast enough!
Comment by Tip Coleman
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
If they go belly up, it couldn’t happen to a more deserving rag. The “DNC/Obama Times” has outlived it’s credibility.
Comment by H.P.Wiegand
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
For most of my early adult life, The New York Times was a fine example of excellent journalism and factual news reporting. What one was a shining star has become a smoldering rag, reeking of bias. No wonder its profits and reputation have all but hit bottom. Top management had better make an “agonizing reappraisal”…. otherwise, good riddance!!!
Comment by Dave Anderson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
The NYT long ago ceased at being a journalistic newspaper to becoming a political hack rag. Like the French, it still thinks it is in it’s prime. Any paper that can print an ad calling our finest General “Betrayus”, prints everything Barrack Hussein Obama and Moveon.org wants and won’t print an article by McCain unless it please them does not deserve to live.
Comment by freddy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
“all the news fit to line the birdcage”
Comment by keith
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
If bias is the reason NYT is failing - then Fox should have folded years ago.
Comment by Phil
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Perhaps advertisers are not so much moving TOWARD the internet as moving AWAY from the NYT.
Comment by bill
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I hope all them liberal commie bast… who work for the Times go homeless. They think they are above correct journalism morals and values. They need apply for food stamps just like their political agendas promote.
Comment by Dave Anderson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Shortly behind the NYT in journalistic bankruptcy is Newsweek. You can bet that NYT demise will not appear in the NYT, Newsweek, MSNBC, CNN, ABC or CBS.
Comment by Bill Arrigoni
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Name me one newspaper that hasn’t seen their bottom line drop.It’s the internet,stupid.
Comment by Ted Sherman
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Liz,
I am told that the NY Times has been loosing money and that the shares of the Times has fallen since 2002. I would argue shortly after 9/11 and the Iraqi war. You can’t tell american secrets and expect to remain a real newspaper.
Love your perpective on the economy. The opinion you gave about taxes being immoral I almost sent you a love letter (lol).
Keep up the good work.
P.S. If my friend gets his smooth jazz band going I will invite you and the other anchors to the best night of entertainment in the northeast.
Comment by Sharron Mathis
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
This has to be the best day for Freedom, Truth and everyday working people! I am happy!
Every decent Person or politition has been maligned, lied about while the Marxist, Socialist View has been promoted. Clear out your desks and Come live in the real World!
Sharron Mathis
Cherokee Village, Arkansas
Comment by Marc
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I wasn’t a subscriber, but a couple years ago was a regular reader of their website. Their liberal slant turned the paper into more of an out-and-out liberal opinion piece with a newsfeed. As far as I’m concerned, the sign of the Times should be “Closed for business”.
Comment by Peter
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
If the NYT goes out of business, I won’t have anything that’s acceptable for picking up my dog’s poop.
Comment by Oliver Closov
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Sell it to Rupert Murdoch!!
Comment by JohnJ
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
When will these media outlets (newspapers & radio) figure out that liberal-biased news only appeals to a small minority of people. I tried reading the NYT web version for a few months, until I just got so angry I stopped. They were shameless in their liberal slanted reporting and swooning over Barack. They need to fire all their editors, writers & managers and start over with a balanced & professional staff if they wish to save their company.
Comment by Edward
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I hope they have to fold.
Comment by Paul , VA
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
No kidding? I wonder why. I would read the Enquirer or the Examiner for “news” before reading that rag. They can all get jobs for BHO or Al-Jazeera who shares the Times’ editorial philosophy.
Comment by keith
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Good, couldn’t happen to a more deserving entity.
Comment by Nancy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I sincerely doubt that this organization will get the point: The american people demand FAIR news. The MEDIA is not going to elect this president! For all the NYT subscribers: I hope you cancel your subscriptions.
Comment by Larry
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thank God, the NY Times Grave has been lying empty far too long. and Justice is finally catching up to that bunch. if the Time comes that America needs an enema the New York Times central office would be the perfect place to insert the Hose….
Comment by patrick keefe
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
This is and has been the fate of the Liberal Left. It’s just no one is reporting it….
Comment by Ace
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Will Congress bails out our beloved Liberal National Newspaper?? Pelosi, Reid, Rangel are they working behind the scene to save the paper?
Comment by Cary
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Great! I hope they and San Francisco Commie(Chronicle) close their door soon!
Comment by Chucky
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Why read the NY Times? They are in the hole because they are left-wing, anti-America biased. They can’t seem to recognize the fact that American’s want the facts, not propaganda.
Comment by John
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
NY NY NY NY, NY NY NY NY, Hey hey hey, Good-bye
Comment by David
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
If a bankrupt newspaper writes a biased article and no one is there to read it, was it ever written?
Comment by Alonzo Demetrius
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
It’s just too bad that a reputable new medium such as NYT will go down the tubes, and all because their current leadership has decided to try to influence the American election process. Many of our formerly leading news magazines have gone down this same road and are suffering or soon will. Why can’t they see that Americans do not need to be told what to think; we just want the news.
p.s. The same goes with the TV broadcasts that are so obviously one-sided. Please, we are all not stupid out here; just tell us the news and let us think for ourselves. Your form of mind-control works only on the stupid.
Comment by joe
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
goodby to a yellow rag,and all its reporters and owners.yesterday will not be soon enough
Comment by Alonzo Demetrius
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
It’s just too bad that a reputable news medium such as NYT will go down the tubes, and all because their current leadership has decided to try to influence the American election process. Many of our formerly leading news magazines have gone down this same road and are suffering or soon will. Why can’t they see that Americans do not need to be told what to think; we just want you to tell us the news, not your version of the news.
p.s. The same goes with the TV broadcasts that are so obviously one-sided. Please, we are all not stupid out here; just tell us the news and we will think through it for ourselves. Your form of mind-control works only on the stupid.
Comment by Bill
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
FULL time!!!!!
Comment by Ralph
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
This is great news! The Times should start publishing all the news… not just what the liberals want printed.
Comment by Steve
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
About time tired of this rag
Comment by Steve -Cleveland
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
…well as long as the current owner keeps the rag (through unfair stock voting rights) … he will continue to use the NYT as his own personal far left venue… profits , who needs the money… Mr S is not worried about money grand-pop took care that… perhaps Senator Obama will start paying for all the free promotion he gets from the paper…
Comment by Rob
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The only question I have is what will bird owners line their cages with now???
Comment by Bill in Sani Flush
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
They threw their paper outside my fence and then sent me a bill! I threatened to sue them for littering. They stopped!
Comment by Glenn
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Well that is good for the Very Liberal Paper, and I hope all the other Liberal Papers do the same…..everything that is good for the country the Paper doesnt print so why be in the Business, but that is how Liberals are, everything that is good for the country they are against.
Comment by croddy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
the new york times long ago ceased to be a legitimate source of objective news coverage. close the doors
Comment by retiredcopper
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Trouble with the NY Times is that liberals can’t read and conservatives are too smart to read that rag.
Comment by D. Kruck
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
The New York Times “manufactured” news for a very, very small group of pseudo-elitists. I doubt unworthy and unwashed masses will shed a single tear at their demise.
Comment by Chris Murray
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
If I had the money, I would be accumulating shares for a takeover, renaming the paper
The New York Liberal Propogandist Gazette
I say, truth in advertising.
Comment by JohnH
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I hope my own local,liberal rag goes out of business!
Comment by Rick Tabor
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Even without the advertisers’ move to the Internet, the print media (especially the liberal-biased)started to decline when reporters lost their objectivity and began to fancy themselves as editors. They seem to hold collective public intelligence in very low regard.
Comment by Bill Dudding
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The arrogance of NYT management has come back to bite them where it hurts.
Comment by Bob Difino
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
What will I put under my parrot?
Comment by John White
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
It shouldn’t take an Einstein to realize the fact that Fox News has such a good rating by practicing what they preach, which is: WE REPORT, YOU DECIDE. They also describe themselves as “FAIR AND BALANCED”, which, in my opinion, is nothing but true. I do not subscribe to any newspaper because they all seem to think that they need to educate everyone else in their way of thinking. This is too much like a dictatorship.
Comment by Mark G.
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Well, to coin a phrase, the ‘pulp pulpit’ of the NYT evidently is having the same success as Air America and for good reason. The sheer hubris and chutspah of an editor to deny an op-ed piece to someone running for president is truly beyond the pale.
Every morning I read the online editions of all the major metros. After reading the LA Times, and the NYT, I’m ready for a dose of reality, that’s when I read the Middle-America papers. The notable exception being the Chicago Tribune. Some of the columnists are great, but the majority of the op-ed pieces are simply astounding in their idiocy and balance to wit; ‘Repeal the Second Amendment!’ Pretty amazing that such a formerly great paper would pander to a Mayor and his incredibly corrupt adminstration. I now call Chicago ‘Newark on the Lake’.
As a blogger myself with nearly all of the majors, it does appear that from the vast majority comments that they are so off-base in their observations and commentary, that it could hardly be called news. It’s more like ‘journalistic day care’ and they are passing out crayons, because we can’t think for ourselves. The papers who’s numbers are sinking into the collective toilet might do well in reading the reader’s comments about the various pieces and coverage thereof. They would then realize the Emperor really needs some clothes, because sometimes the naked truth of reader’s opinions is the truth.
Comment by Jim Woodward - Oklahoma
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
A real bummer for this left wing rag. Maybe they will get the message that U.S. citizens are sick and tired of their left wing vapid drivel.
Comment by Manny
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
This is really not surprising. Back in the day everyone read the Times; it was practically required reading. In more recent years they have become more and more of a liberal propaganda forum and print retractions like our country prints money. They used to report the news and now they make the news and have turned off hundreds of thousands of readers. Three generations of my family alone stopped reading their garbage and it doesnt surprise me if many Americans both conservative and liberal want the news reported in a “fair and balanced” manner.
Comment by Ferrell Gummitt
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Profits plunging at the New York Times? You don’t say? I predict there will be a couple “Bill O’Reilly Talking Points” on this subject. Maybe if they hadn’t their souls to the far left crowd, the profits or at least the losses would be a little better…
Comment by Dan
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Would love to see this socialst rag go under.
What a blessing this would be for the U.S.A.
Comment by Ron
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hurray! For the newspaper that would leak/disclose sensitive CIA info in fighting terrorism, but refrain from releasing the ending of a Harry Potter new release, I am surprised they are turning a profit at all!
Comment by Tony De Angelis
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
July 23, 2008 at 3:56 PM
In recent years the NYT motto has become “All the news unfit to print.”
Comment by Annette
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The demise of the Times is a long time coming and way overdue.
For too long this voice of all that is subversive to this country has been allowed to spew it’s leftist dribble to it’s supposedly elitist readers.
My family and friends will party when the final wooden stake is placed in it’s heart.
Comment by John Steitz
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
When you lose your integrity you lose just about everything. The NYT has lost nearly every shred of integrity they ever had.
Comment by Woodside Gil
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Ah….music to my ears. I hope that this is just the beginning of the end for the most biased, one-sided, liberal piece of garbage out there. The only place it has any value is back up in the bathroom in case one runs out of TP. I hope they fold and every one of their employees is out of a job and goes on welfare, a support system that they have championed for years.
Comment by Pamela
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
long lives the trees
Comment by Joe De
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I’ve been looking for used NY times papers, I refuse to purchase one….What I need to know is, who are the advertizers, so I know where not to shop an what not to purchase…..Who ever ownes the Times, should fire all top management and the entire editorial staff, otherwise, tun out the lights and layoff everybody and write off your losses on your next tax forms…..
Comment by Jack
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
“This is Great! Maybe they can all go to work for Hillary or Obama.”
I thought they already were. LOL!
Comment by Mike
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
It would be great to see that piece of trash called the NY Times out of business once and for all. Anyway, who wants to read a paper who hires plagiarists? What kind of news is that?
Comment by Mike Lockhart
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I would humbly suggest that the NYT’s problems stem from its attempts to be the moral barometer of the nation. Its perspective, from the far left side of the political spectrum, has led to its own lack of any moral compass, its failure to impartially inform the nation and its inability to make a profit.
I hope to raise a glass of champers to its ultimate downfall.
Comment by Javier
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
The New York Times fate will be the same as liberal talk shows, not demand for them.
Comment by Rich
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
How, exactly, does being “the moral barometer of the nation” work its way into a *business plan?
What nonsense! No wonder they’re losing money.
Comment by Steve Long
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
What I find remarkably interesting is that the NYT themselves has admitted their own bias in the past. Their “highlight” op-ed writers such as Maureen Dowd continue with their obstreporous and highly inaccurate tripe. Ah well, with all the liberal keesters they have kissed over the years, I am sure that ALGORE will take care of them all.
Comment by Al
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Yeah baby! I like it like that…
Comment by Herbert Galloway
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The New York Times going under– HOW SWEET IT IS!!
Comment by James Price
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I love these comments!
Comment by Orlando Castro
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The Times is the “Canary in the mine shaft”. Most educated American citizens are politically in the middle and just slightly to the right. The “news” media is daily becoming left and do not care what or how the public reacts. We are not reading articles that teach us how to make an educated decision anymore. We read articles that tell us what decision we should be making. However because we are educated, and hopefully rational and independent, we are not falling for the left wing control of what used to be “the free press”.
Comment by Roy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Everything in this article except the profit plunge is complete bunk. The NYT demise is due to one thing and one thing only. Their extreme liberal ideology, period.
Their first two functions, inform the world and be a moral barometer is hogwash but even if it was true, they have failed completely and utterly in both. That my dear Elizabeth, determines the third, profit.
Good riddance to the NYT.
Comment by Glen
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Quoted…
“One, inform the world; two, act as the moral barometer of the nation; three, turn a profit. All three of which are vital legs in the New York Times’ stool.”
Number two is the problem… by appointing themselves to be the moral barometer, many people have stopped reading their publication. I, for one, want the news reported without comment, thought or opinion. The employees of The Times are just news reporters. They do not have experience or degrees that validate any comment they make on the economy, politics or human nature. If they want to comment on these issues, they need to sell books like everyon else and not include it in the news that they should be publishing.
Comment by Ed
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
The NY Times should have had their offices raided by the FBI, and the Editor hauled off to prison after they started printing leaked nad stolen classified info on the front pages.
Comment by Sharon
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Am I the only one that has a problem with #2? Since when is a newspaper supposed to be anyone’s moral compass? That isn’t journalism.
Comment by USAFmom
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I am so glad !!!! they truly deserve it,so liberal and biased and hateful. i’d love to see them go all the way under.
Comment by KansasGirl
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Just 82%? I don’t buy that one bit.
Comment by Linda
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
“moral barometer of the nation? Well that would be one failure that may have led to it’s failure to turn a profit. Glad to see the Times in trouble this nation does not need a moral barometer like it around. Hope its goes the way of the subprime mortgage.
Comment by John Harper
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
All three legs of the so-called “stool” are damaged or broken. Maybe folks like Hillary, Bill and Ted sat on it way too long. Wadeathink?
Comment by Tim
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I hope the Commie paper goes belly up.
Comment by Keith
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Tell me Fox news has no agenda…and is “Fair and Balanced.” All newspapers and news programs have a bias. Informed readers can sift thru the bull and search for the true story. You all are just too “blind” to notice the OBVIOUS right slant of Fox. Whether you lean left or right, at least be honest and acknowledge the obvious. Stop acting like lemmings and “Wake up”.
Comment by Ted
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
That is really toooo bad!!! The poor NY Times, what will they do? Maybe they could lobby Congress for a “Biased Newspaper Supplement & Aid Bill” to help them through this rough ordeal! HA! I think the citizens have spoken and the paper has got to go!
Comment by JP
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Now that I know that the NYT owns About.com I have found my way of not supporting the NYT.
No more About.com for me…. bye bye…
Comment by Jim N.
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
The New York Times can only blame itself for the situation in which it finds itself. The paper lost sight of the original role of a newspaper, that is to report “news”. It is nothing but a propaganda machine for the democrats and Osamabama. Since senior management, the editors and staff decided to be become a political tool and try to advance its own political agenda, they will die by the same sword they have tried to swing. They have no one to blame but themselves. Good riddance!
Comment by Aspasia
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Wonderful news, indeed. “Moral barometer of the nation”? What a farce!
Comment by aaron
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
MacDonald’s assertion that the Times is the “moral barometer” of this country is absurd. Their editorial page and feature columnists are as biased as you can get. I cancelled their paper two months ago and hope it contributed in some way to their eventual demise. Too bad, their cultural sections are top notch.
Comment by lee
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I would enjoy turning the lights out.
Comment by Jim in Florida
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
“One, inform the world; two, act as the moral barometer of the nation; three, turn a profit. All three of which are vital legs in the New York Times’ stool.
Moral barometer of the nation? You have got to be kidding me.
How utterly elitist - but appropriate for this “news”paper.
I’ll never read a single copy again after they refused to give McCain the same courtesy as they extended to Obama. By this stupidity they have crossed the Rubicon as far as I am concerned.
Comment by Tony De Angelis
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
At one time I stood in awe of the New York Times as the newspaper of record. However, in recent years it has transformed itself into a vehicle for advancing the agenda of the Democrat Party. That made me feel that subscribing to it would in itself become a campaign contribution, which to me would prove a form of political suicide.
Comment by Indy
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Lots of angry people in here…
Comment by David Baker
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Better hurry and get this nation socialized where the state will pay the price of the liars to publish the states views. Here comes Nobama, maybe Billary will take over the American version of Pravda.
Comment by FollowFacts
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Perhaps they are being abandoned by people who suffer from an anti-bias bias. It is a syndrome that is caught from watching network news.
The syndrome is characterized by aversion to spin, bias, propaganda and outright falsehoods, whether by commission or omission of pertinent information.
A common presentation of this syndrome is puking after reading the paper. People who have this syndrome can get relief by using the rag to wrap garbage. As the geeks say: garbage in, garbage out.
The cure is not to by the New York Times.
Comment by FollowFacts
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
The other lesson is not to rely on spell checkers. The word is buy, not by. Sorry.
Comment by Joe Momma
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
It serves them right! More and more people all the time are seeing the NYT for what it really is: a biased, elitist, liberal rag from which you cannot believe half of what they print. Hey, NYT, try printing HONEST news stories for a change and save your liberal bias for the opinion pages. Oh, by the way, your paper is WAY overpriced.
Comment by John Dolson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I couldn’t agree more with these comments. They are NOT the moral barometer of the nature. They should stick to the news, fairly and squarely. Right now, they are getting what they deserve. McCain’s troubles getting published are perhaps the most visible example. They either need to get objective or close their doors.
Comment by curt
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Maybe the Times will finially get the message that most Americans that posses lucid minds are fed up with their bias towards all things left wing. They are not a viable news outlet, but rather an arm of socialism and liberalism that uses their outlet to spread the perverted thinking that is associated with this movement. I say go away and good ridance!!!
Comment by Ed
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Don’t just think of cancelling if you subscribe to the NYT rag, CANCEL!
Comment by RICK
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I’D BURN IT TO KEEP WARM THIS WINTER BUT THEN I’D JUST SMELL LIKE IT, HEY TO TRACE GOOD COMMENT
Comment by Daniel Ipson
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Two Words, “Zero Credibility”.
Comment by Stephen
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
They don’t call it the “New York Slimes” for nothing.
Comment by helana graem
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
tHIS RAG COMMITTED TREASON WHEN REVEALING NATIONAL SECRETS.
LUCKY IT WAS NOT CRIMINALLY INDITED
wHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
Comment by John Wetteland
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I disagree with the bussiness model, I believe the Times needs to inform the world and needs to to turn a profit but why should a news outlet be required to act as the “Moral Barometer of the Nation”.
This is the problem with the Times, do not try to tell me what to think. Inform me (even occationally give me your opinion) but allow me to make my own conclutions
Comment by helana graem
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
mULTIPLE TREASONS COME HOME TO ROOST
Comment by Lori
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
For certain the Times management needs to be fired and replaced, but if they hire the same types with the same agenda, they will certainly get the same results. This is probably the last chance for the owners to save it. Which is more important to them, profit and respectable journalism, or ideological propaganda? Their actions in the near future will reveal the answer to that question and seal their fate probably for the last time. Partnering with successful companies may keep them operating a while longer, but it will not save the name or reputation of the Times. People have a choice, and an institution can be ruined by foolish people who fail to realize they exist for one reason only: to report the news. Not tell people what to think or who to vote for. Newspapers are not blogs. It’s about time they started acting with the professionalism their status and the public demands.
Comment by robert
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Yeah, F the NYT. They deserve to perish in the flames of capitalism.
Carla…I’d definitely cancel. I canceled my subscription to the San Jose Mercury and they aren’t nearly as bad. Hopefully, the SF Chronical will be next.
All those op-ed writers can kiss my right wing arse.
Comment by RSR
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Well, the NY Times brought this one upon themselves. So now maybe they’ll get the message…the American people want ‘HONEST’ reporting, not someones biased opinion. I’m willing to bet reps.,dems & indep. will all agree on this one.
Note to NYT…I will never buy your paper again.
Comment by BigDogg
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Now maybe that west coast liberal biased rag…the L.A. Times should take heed.
Comment by hugh sutherland
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
They thought that they could make everyone an ultra liberal. The bias of their reporting is showing up in the loss of profit. Freedom of the press carries with it the responsibility of reporting the news with out bias. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Boston Globe doesn’t have the same problem as they are about as liberal.
Comment by jeffrey
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
So when will the Democrats put forth a bailout program to save the paper with taxpayer dollars? This paper is simply a Liberal newsletter. God forbid they, or any newspaper, would actually distance themselves from the politicians they cover and actually report the facts of what these politicians are really doing, they might be relevant again. They need to quit reporting on what someone says or intends, and report on actions and results. But that will never happen and they will simply go away. When a paper makes the National Enquirier look like a pillar of journalistic integrity, their days are numbered. I’m not looking for fair and balanced here, just the facts. I’ll figure things out from there.
Comment by J. Stephen
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
The “moral barometer of the nation?” Yikes! That’s the leg of the three-legged stool thats really giving out on them. When they fix that, maybe they will regain some credibility.
Comment by marvin steele
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
if the nyt ran their paper like foxnews, fair and balance, more people might go back and read it. like cnn,,, clinton news network,,, most americans want both sides of the story not what the dnc or move on.org wants us to beleive. what was once a great paper is now at the bottom of the bird cage.
Comment by Dick
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
If the Times was less concerned about being “the moral barometer of the nation” and focused more on objective news coverage, it wouldn’t be having so many problems. The haughty attitude of knowing more than your readers and having the moral responsibility of having to save them from themselves does not make an endearing statement to many. The Times fully has the ability of being a world leading source of news, but until they take the blinders off and tell like it is, not how they would like it to be, they will continue in a downward spiral. The “barometer” needs to go back to the shop.
Comment by Scott
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I know this is a repeat of what everyone is saying about this, but hey if they reported the news without bias and stopped campaigning for a partiular political party regardless of the facts, maybe people would be interested in buying their newspaper. As far as I am concerned, the NY Times is bias and unfactual in their reporting. They also should fully tell BOTH sides of any story. RIP.
Comment by DON NEVINS
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Frazer Rice got it right only the obvious is standing in front of him and everybody else including the NY Times management but everybody appears to be blind.
Inform the world - OF ALL THE FACTS NOT JUST THE ONES THE TIMES LIKES.
Act as the moral barometer of the nation - IS NOT KNUCKLING UNDER TO RELATIVE MORALITY
Turn a profit - HOW WHEN YOU MISSED ON THE TWO ABOVE???
They even overrule the readers’ Ombudsman!
I only read the comics in my local newspaper (and grab the grocery ads) in these days of biased reporting at least some of the local strips are humorous. What the Times prints or fails to print cannot even pass as a joke!
Tucson Don - used to get the paper and read it!
Comment by Tony
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Finally, some good news! I’ll throw a party if the NY Times goes totally out of business.
Comment by Todd
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Don’t liberals at the NYT realize that by alienating all Republicans they shut the door on a pretty well-read portion of the populace in exchange for a party that relies on the continued ignorance of voters to win elections. Lack of business sense, lack of common sense, and eventually a lack of all cents.
Comment by Ed
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Goodby to the American “Pravda”
These people aren’t just Liberals - they are Communist.
Comment by Mike Letourneau
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I am a former papermill worker up here in Dalhousie ,New Brunswick, Canada, who lost his job when the Bowater mill shut down Jan 31, 2008. We could see this coming and we can see the big papers getting ready to go out of business too. Why? Because people would rather read what they want on the internet. Besides the NY Times and the rest of the left wing press are too one sided and have all joined Obama HQ. The only fair coverage is Fox News, The NY Post, the Washington Times and in Canada the National Post and the Daily Telegraph in the UK and the Jerusalem Post. The rest are frankly all garbage.
Comment by yojroz
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
It’s no wonder that the Times is having financial problems. Perhaps they could get Hugo Chavez to lend them a few million….they would make great partners…
Comment by ted
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
“act as the moral barometer of the nation” are you kidding me. I guess what you meant to say is they act as the moral barometer for the socialist side of the nation.
Comment by CJB
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Why is the NYT called a “news”paper.It’s simply a “views”paper,the views all emanating from the likes of Rich,Dowd et al,a gaggle of goons co-opted by “lefties”.
Comment by Greg McCarty
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
This arrogant socialist house organ needs to go away desperately.
Comment by Limbo
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
People are voting with their wallets. As for me, I am sick of their clear bias. I don’t want to pay money to have someone shove their goofy political views down my throat.
Comment by Bill
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Couldn’t be happening to a worse media outlet (calling it a “news paper” would be a disservice to the reputable ones out there). Conscience of the nation? Pleeze….
Comment by Jim Hamel
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
As is usual for Elizabeth she has overlooked the most important thing (see the other responses above to confirm)…The Times is biased towards the socialist in our country. They make stuff up (some people call that lies) It is very scary to me that someone whom is on a financial advisory role for Fox News cannot see that. Can anyone say “goodbye to America”.
Comment by Aboleo
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
The New York Times is in denial. Not all Americans are Liberals. There are Cons, Moderates and Dems as well. They are preaching to the Liberal choir only. They should have learned from Air America. I as well will wrap my fish in the NYT when it folds.
Comment by Gary Miller
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Any Newspaper that would expose our intelligence operations and put at risk our National Security for political purposes deserves to fail. The print medai in this country has lost it’s objecttivity and is so politicaliy bias that the “Press Pass” is now a bagde of dishonesty and corruption! The sooner they fail lthe better!
Comment by Adam
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Perhaps if they changed their name to “Pravda” business would improve for them.
Comment by Eric
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
No big mystery: NYT was once the Gold Standard of reporting the multiple aspects of significant news; today they’re a parochial paper that serves as the house organ for the DNC. People who choose to read a newspaper are too sophisticated for that.
Comment by Sam Reid
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“Act as the moral barometer of the nation?” Is this satire that I just missed?
Perhaps they can strike a deal with Al Jazeera, or the UK’s Guardian. All print with the same objectivity, have the same antipathy for America’s traditional values, and none can be counted upon to report even a dogfight accurately.
Comment by Mike
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Why would you publish the remarks of anyone who views the NYT as “the moral barometer of the nation”. The NYT does not seem to be the moral barometer of the people commenting here or any other moral person living outside of Manhattan for that matter.
Comment by jack
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
surely when obama is elected this paper will be bought out by the govt and become the national newspaper.
Comment by Scott K
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
And let’s not forget the traitorous publishing of US intelligence methods, and the abhorant false stories against our soldiers. People don’t read a paper to be brainwashed, but to be informed. That’s why they are losing readers.
Comment by K.B. in Hanford
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
What? But they’re right about everything, right? Shouldn’t everyone turn to this bastion of objective journalism for their news? Go on NYT. Comfort yourselves with the false pretense that you are real journalists, and that it is simply ignorant people who don’t want the news - and that’s why you’re losing your shirts. It can’t be that you have sold out to blind and empty liberalism and hatred for the nation that made you once-great. Soon, we’ll talk about you in past-tense.
Comment by FLorida Puma
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
GO FLorida PUMAs -
We dont read that paper in Florida
Comment by Bill
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Good riddance and good bye liberal mouthpiece!
Comment by Bill
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
This is outstanding news! They are ripe for acquisition at that stock price. Fox News should buy them, fire everyone and open a legitimate newspaper as opposed to what thet formerly great paper has become - a tabloid tool for one sided views and a gossip rag.
Comment by Mark LaPoint
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
The NYT is a national and international embarrassment. But they are on the right path … please be gone … and HURRY!
Comment by Drew
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Yep, what comes around goes around. You don’t want to be fair and balanced, we don’t want to read you. nuff said
Comment by Cristina Bernardo
Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:00 am
The New York Times is a “viewspaper” instead of a “newspaper.” It is not serving its purpose of being an objective news provider. It is very unfortunate. I do not want newspapers to die as I believe we should encourage people to read. That’s the reason why I am a subscriber to the paper. But now I am seriously contemplating of terminating my subscription.
Comment by JagdishK
Jul 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
NYT should have remembered Abe Lincoln’s words..You can fool some of the people all the time, but NOT All the people all the time. We, The People, want the News, the Truth, and nothing but the Truth so help you (NYT) God whom you don’t trust & who you want to delete from the Pledge of Allegiance. Digging your grave since Abhu Graib, Air America, the resume-less Obama’s entry & now turning down McCain’s OP-Ed. Keep Digging, & it’ll come!
Comment by Walter
Jul 24th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Nice to see you go. Hope your friends