Dhimmitude at Columbia, NYT Lapse

Columbia University as recently released its report on allegations that pro-Palestinian profs have harassed and intimidated students who disagreed with them.  To recap, because this is a story completely new to this blog,  we refer you to a New York Times editorial that appeared today (link goes to Campus Watch to avoid having to register at NYT).  The background to the editorial is almost as interesting.  Best of the Web pointed out yesterday that the NYT had been given an exclusive on Columbia's report the day before it was released to the public.  This was discovered by reading an Editor's Note in the Times yesterday.  That's fine but apparently in exchange for the exclusive, the Times agreed that the writer (of the article) would not seek reaction from outside parties.  As the Editor's Note states, writers are not permitted to forgo follow-up reporting in exchange for information as a matter of policy but

In this case, editors and the writer did not recall the policy and agreed to delay additional reporting until the document had become public. The Times insisted, however, on getting a response from the professor accused of unacceptable behavior, and Columbia agreed. . . .

Ahh, NYT.  The Crown Jewel of MSM. Even without Jason Blair, you manage to cock things up. 

[As a relevant aside, it looks as though someone at the New York Times has been studying the "Hillary Defense" (closely related to the "Twinkie Defense").  "Try to remember that time in December..."  "I don't recall that ...I really don't remember..."]

Given this background, today's editorial critical of Columbia's handling of the entire situation seems to be an effort to redress the Times' glaring ethical lapse.  We hope that the attention focussed on this will actually change things in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, which Columbia now admits has been "out of control."

Campus Watch has very complete background including all relevant articles.  It was from this site that we found the name of the documentary that brought this whole situation to public light (and which the New York Times rather coyly omits).  It is Columbia Unbecoming, by The David Project.  Their website is currently under construction.  Here is an article about it in the campus newspaper, The Columbia Spectator.