NY Times responds to claim it gutted reporter’s story on Weinstein under pressure from Hollywood

Former New York Times reporter Sharon Waxman set tongues a’wagging when she said in an op-ed that the newspaper “gutted” a story she did in 2004 on Weinstein’s alleged sexual abuse.

The founder of “The Wrap” charged that The Times “was one of those enablers” who kept this story from the public for decades, and said actors Matt Damon and Russell Crowe intervened to try to help redirect her efforts.

Former Times editor Jonathan Landman denied her account, questioning whether she “had the goods on Weinstein,” according to Politico.

Waxman begged to differ, saying her story was about “a procurer of women on Disney payroll,” for Weinstein’s pleasure.

Times executive editor Dean Baquet also released a statement on Monday defending the paper.

I wasn’t here in 2004. But it is unimaginable to me that The Times killed a story because of pressure from Harvey Weinstein, who was and is an advertiser. After all, The Times is an institution that has published investigative reporting that caused our Chinese-language website to be blocked in China.

The top two editors at the time, Bill Keller and Jill Abramson, say they have no recollection of being pressured over Ms. Waxman’s story. And her direct editor, Jonathan Landman, suggested she didn’t have it nailed. The story we published last week took months of work by two experienced investigative reporters. It included the on-the-record accounts of numerous women who were harassed by Mr. Weinstein. It also included the fact that Mr. Weinstein paid settlements to keep women from talking. I’m sure Ms. Waxman believes she had a story. But if you read her own description, she did not have anything near what was revealed in our story. Mainly, she had an off-the-record account from one woman.

 

Rose McGowan calls out former costar Alyssa Milano for her ‘deafening’ silence

(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Waxman stands by her claim, but nonetheless bowed before the Gray Lady, saying she “didn’t mean to start World War III” — after all, there’s a limit to how critical one can be of the venerable New York Times in the liberal world of journalism.

“I didn’t mean to start World War III w . I revere the paper, but felt compelled to call out sanctimony. Facts are facts. ,” she tweeted.

Waxman appeared Monday night on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to reiterate her claim, insisting Weinstein “pushed back really hard” in response to her reporting.

Actress Rose McGowan hits stars AGAIN for ‘monster’ Weinstein silence, and what about Tina Fey?

“There were always rumors about sexual misconduct,” Waxman said, when asked by host Tucker Carlson if Weinstein’s behavior was widely known.

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