Controversial Writer, Bari Weiss Resigns From New York Times, Alleging Hostile Work Environment

0

Bari Weiss, a high-profile editor and writer for the New York Times opinion section, resigned Monday, citing what she said was unchecked bullying from colleagues and depicting the news organization as a place where the free exchange of ideas was no longer welcome.

In a letter to New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger which was posted on her website Tuesday, Ms. Weiss wrote that she has been “the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views.”

In the resignation letter Weiss posted online Tuesday, the self-described “politically homeless” writer criticized The Times for fostering what she called an “illiberal environment” that she said was “especially heartbreaking.”
“Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times,” Weiss wrote. “But Twitter has become its ultimate editor.”
“Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions,” Weiss added.
News of Weiss’ departure was first reported by Vice and confirmed by The Times. Kathleen Kingsbury, The Times’ acting editorial page editor, thanked Weiss in a statement for her “many contributions.”

Weiss faced criticism in June when the newspaper faced backlash over the publication of Republican Sen. Tom Cotton’s op-ed, which argued for sending in military troops to U.S. cities to quash unrest that had broken out in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. In a series of tweets, Weiss tweeted that there was a “civil war” that has been “raging” inside The Times between the “wokes” and older “liberals.” The tweets drew public backlash from some of Weiss’ own colleagues.

Eileen Murphy, a spokesperson for The Times, did not respond to the specifics of Weiss’ resignation letter. But Murphy said, “We’re committed to fostering an environment of honest, searching and empathetic dialogue between colleagues, one where mutual respect is required of all.”