it’s official: Journalism has hit new lows with the quoting of anonymous sources.
Prior to about 2001 (in fact, before 9/11), anonymous sources were pretty sparingly used, because there was little use for them. They didn’t add credence, and we weren’t in this state of hyperinformation where people need new info nownownow, any any info, authoritative or not, will do. But then of course, 9/11 happened. People got hush-hush and supersecretive, and informing the public by way of anonymous leaks fell into fashion. News sources began to think it was okay to quote anyone who had just about anything to say, so long as it would fill space and make news. Truly bad, irresponsible journalism had finally entered the golden age. And despite cases where such sources (and the information) turned out to be the plagiarisms and even the figment of some writer’s imagination, the news outlets still haven’t learned.
Well, the New York Times hit rock bottom today. Now, not only are the sources anonymous, but they’re offering nothing but non-information:
“The entire organization is in uproar, and people have been looking for leadership,” said one Citigroup executive close to the situation. “The organization is waiting for something.”
“At some point, the company is worse off or better off without the guy,” this person said. “That collective point has come and passed.“
Uhhh……….what?!
I can only guess from this quote that Citigroup has gone beyond a state of confusion and is now in a State of “Meh.”
Really now, what the hell were the reporters thinking? Yes, reporters: It took two of them, Eric Dash and Landon Thomas Jr., to extrude this drivel. Not to mention at least a couple of alleged world-class Editors at the Times to let this slip by. Slow news day, much?
Then again, they do let this guy masquerade as a technology expert, so I guess the days of expecting something decent from the Times are long gone.