Why We Need the New York Times

For many years, I was a devoted reader of the New York Times. An unusually devoted one.

I picked up the habit from David O'Brien, an actor who played my father on a soap opera I appeared on over 25 years ago. It was my first professional job, and I watched O'Brien as he passed his down time by scouring the paper from cover to cover and doing the crossword along the way.

I picked up the paper every day, back when many places ran out of the Times, and rather quickly, by late morning. I carried it with me everywhere, as so many other New Yorkers seemed to. In New York, someone else is usually doing the driving. In a cab or on the train, the Times and the time to read it were mine.

Television news had become less relevant in my life. I was rarely near a TV at 6pm to watch the classic network broadcast. CNN was good for breaking news and convention coverage. But salacious crimes and court cases seemed to predominate more than I could bear.

On cable news, I am a fan of Keith and Rachel. But he wastes too much time pissing on Bush and his deposed cronies. She is smart and charming but her writers are dreadful and the less cutesy she is, the better. She did an excellent interview with Colin Powell recently. The next night, I missed that tougher, less avuncular Rachel. A while back, the idea of sitting down at another screen and getting my evening news seemed unappealing. Now I sit and watch Rachel and Keith while I do my e-mail and read Slate and HuffPo online.

But something has changed again. I'm back to buying the Times. I think others should get back to buying and reading a newspaper, too.

When the Jayson Blair story erupted, I realized that if the Times couldn't even properly and effectively assess their own, how could they be relied upon to assess public officials and figures? It was then that I stopped buying the paper. A lot of people did. In Manhattan, copies of the New York Times often pile up everywhere.

But lately, the alternatives seem wanting. In the Times recently was good reporting about the poor documentation of the deaths of deportation detainees by various state and federal agencies. Another article recently captured the abyss of disputed workmen's compensation cases and the endless troubles that greet those who fall into it. I don't see that on MSNBC. Frankly, I don't see that on TV at all.

Some friends of mine in the media business say the newspaper model as we know it is in its death throes. Papers will fold or go digital. The Times will survive only online. I hope that is not true. I hope that one does not need to own a computer and a high speed connection in order to stay connected with the world of news and opinion. The Times, like many other important journals, is not perfect. Sometimes its writing and its priorities are downright awful. But that is rare.

I still think people should read a newspaper every day and that children should be taught the importance of doing so in school. Television news can be good. It just isn't as good as the New York Times. And now more than ever.

Comments

[Wembeley]

I'm so glad that elsewhere Alec pointed out the slantedness of the AOL home page. I thought it was supposed to be an entertainment and info page but the people who frequent there and post there are such right wing, racist, homophobes that it is not worth viewing. I was surprised to go there thinking I was just going to read about fashion only to read comment after comment about how ugly Michelle Obama is. There is so much going on in this country right now and all these people can do is talk about Michelle being ugly? They can't think of anything smart to say to criticize the president so they have to try and convince everyone that one of the most beautiful people in the world is ugly. Ooooh, that'll show him! I don't know when AOL let the crazies take over but I was glad to hear someone comment on it because I have been so disgusted with what is found there.

[JohnBryansFontaine]

Hello Alec:

First, let me say that I believe that the New York Times is the Greatest Newspaper in the entire Galaxy, and perhaps this Universe as well. The mutli-sectional cornucopia that is the Sunday NYT is a multi-course feast for the mind.

However, when perusing the Times, I can't help but notice that the advertisements therein are targeted at the gotta-use-­a-crane-to­-lift-thei­r-wallets crowd. Luxury condos at regal address, the finest cars, jewelry, and haute fashions for the ladies. Five thousand dollar ( and above ) watches for men.

Also, the classified section of the Times, with each of the many hundreds of ads fetching, I would think, at least a hundred $$.

And with all this, the Times can't turn a profit and must turn instead to Uncle Sam? Really bad idea.

One phrase alone: Rush Limbaugh. 24/7 of el Rushbo bellowing into his mike about how the LIBERAL New York Times is now taxpayer funded by the LIBERAL Obama Government. And the right-wing echo chamber would magnify this so much as to make the recent tea party madness look like, well, a tea party.

With all of its financial recourses, the New York Times can, must and should stand on its own.

[BSer]

Use the Rush Limbaugh model and give it away for free.

Or, you can give some of your movie star money to pay the salaries of their janitors.

[lilian101]

Kinda wondering how much of a monetary stake Mr. Baldwin has in the New York Times to tell us all how much we need it.

[dav ram58]

I like Keith and Rachel also; they speak from the heart and tell it like it is. Alex is right about Rachel being too cutesy at times.

[aspertame2]

As Jeff Jarvis chronicles so knowingly (if occasionally smarmily) on his BuzzMachine blog, newspapers are rejecting the evolutionary adaptations that could have saved them. I certainly am not looking to bring more paper into my home, nor to find new ways to pay more for content online.

However, Alec's right that we need to read a little more, be 'entertained' a little less. High-mindedness aside, I had more fun watching Keith and Rachel BEFORE the election/i­naguration - there's a speak-to-power / loyal opposition quality that's now missing, as they cultivate the good will of Pelosi, Frank and others. It's come now to the point that if somebody doesn't come out as a left-leaning, eloquent, tact-UNconcerned opponent to what the Obama Admin and congress *isn't* doing right, I may have to start check out Faux now and again. There's so much you don't hear from people who are, at heart, players for a "team".

[bswell]

Totally agree with the smart guy and wonderful actor, Alec Baldwin. Love KO's politics, but too many "schtick" by him and too much ingratiating chatter on Rachel's part are a turnoff.

The Times is incomparable, but the Washington Post, and even some local newspapers are daily bread for some of us.

Just hope this is not completely confined to the older generations who also read books they can hold in their hands.

[dawns6]

I agree that Alec is hitting right on and to the point. , this is an excellent article and I hope people continue to buy newspapers and share with their children,even if its giving them the funnies section,like I got, till I was old enough to understand world news. I too like Kieth and Rachel.But theres nothing compared to the Times .
Buy newspapers !

[nightwind928]

Unfortunately Mr.Baldwin is right. The problem with on air news is that the anchors of these programs become celebrities themselves and their writers tailor their reporting to showcase the persons "on air persona" rather than the content. I too am a fan of Olberman and Maddow but I notice the same things that Balwin points out. These are good, competent people who can get a lot of stuff from an interview in a short time but when their format is dictated by advertisers and ratings, they are relegated to the position of being just another entertaining talking head. I agree also that the print media is a priceless necessity in our world but in todays hectic world only those few with the luxury of time, can take advantage of it. It's a "catch 22" situation.

[tcmfan]

This article written by Alec Baldwin is not angry. No words are represented in anger. The article is to the point. He is expressing his opinion of what he perceives as a valid point. I do agree with this article. Thumbs up to you Alec!

[LaRene]

and listen to the stories similar to mine.
Oh yes Alec, the news needs to be about important issues like "what the heck is being done, if anything to repair the SS mess", "why are we conserving water by watering our lawns only two days a week( I let God water mine), so that the state of Florida can allow millions of gallons per month pumped for sale by Niagra Bottling Co(that is being battled out now)"," the economic crisis", ".........­..ETC.....­...and the lsit goes on.
We would not even know, what is going on locally , nor in the world around us, without good old news papers! I read it everyday.
Let's not forget FEMA needs an enema as well as The American Red Cross (enough money was donated to rebuild all of our homes, but that did not happen). The Red Cross, ""does not use all monies donated for a disaster, to help people "(well in all fairness , they did help some people...their paid workers got raises). I volunteered for The Red Cross, from 1983, through 9/11. Since I was considered 'terminal' (for 19 years total.....­......ROFL­...yep I can laugh about it), the Red Cross worker said;"why should we help you rebuild, when you could die in two weeks"? Yes Alec, that was their reason for not helping me with rebuilding! It is well documented! Did the paid worker get fired?

[LaRene]

(cont) would just once, like to turn on the news, and hear about issues such as ; 'what are they doing about SS'. People like me, whom are back in school, after defeating cancer (a 19 year battle), and are being SS benefits pulled.. I worked in between radiation and chemo, until my bones just could not take pushing a med cart any longer. So I returned to school with a goal to get my BSN so that I can have a desk job. Because, I worked 2 1/2 months within SS guidelines in 2006, they have stopped my check since October 2008. If I did not have a disability pension check, I would not be typing this, because I would be homeless. That $727.00 check pays my $547.00 per month mortgage, and I juggle the electric and telephone. I made The Presidents list, and prior to that , made the deans list. At 55 years old going back to school and having a 4.00 GPA, is by the grace of God.
My electricity was shut off, for 5 days, until I juggled the pension check to pay it. If our government does not fix this SS mess soon, I shall have to drop out.
Ever heard of SSI?

[LaRene]

Agreed!!! Well said! I started noticing the same thing happening w the news. Look at poor little Caylee Anthony ( and let's not for get the family). That story has become a part of every local newscast. I end up changing the channel as soon as they start the OJ''ish drama taht has unfolded. Sadly, guilty or not, she will not be afforded her constitutional right, to a fair trial by a jury of her peers.
Sensationalism of crimes, is not only overshaowing the news, but shall make copy cat crimes increase.
I (cont)

[Merri]

The rising cost of news print and the decline of advertisers is killing newspapers, large and small, nationwide. It's the sign of the times. People should get their news from both newspapers and television news.

CNN is the best, followed by MSNBC (I like Keith, Rachel and Ed). Forget Fox News. It's the worst cable news network in the history of television. Hannity, O'Reilly and Beck are a disgrace to television news.

Alec, keep up the good work and continue calling folks out.

[StLBoy]

Alec, I'm a huge fan of yours -- and of daily newspapers -- but sentimental anecdotes simply can't replace the newspaper industry's out-dated business model. The writing's on the wall -- or the Internet, or your iPhone -- just not on newsprint anymore.