The New York Times science and public health reporter, Donald G. McKinnell Jr., who resigned under pressure last month after a month on paper, published an account on Monday describing the circumstances of his departure, a four-part essay that repeatedly criticized the Times’ leadership.
Leading journalist on the coronavirus epidemic, Mr. McConnell, announced last month that he was leaving last month for his comments and behavior during a Times-sponsored tour of high school students in Peru, following an article in Derry Beast. Parents complained that Mr. McCannell, who was serving as an expert guide on the trip, used racial ambiguity and made other sensitive remarks.
Shortly after his return, the Times investigated the matter and disciplined him, saying he had made weak decisions by using odors in conversations about racist language. The Daily Beast did not report on Mr Mankill’s behavior on the trip until the Times’ investigation was made public.
Following the publication of the Daily Beast article, a group of Times employees sent a letter to the Times leaders, questioning how the paper handles Mr. McNeil. On February 5, Executive Editor Dean Buckett and Managing Editor Joe Kahn announced their departure by giving a memo to staff. As part of the announcement, Mr. McNeil apologized and said in a statement, “Basically, I thought the ugly word I used in this context could be defended. I now realize he can’t. It is very offensive and hurtful. ”
In his four-part essay, published in the platform online platform medium on more than 20,000 words, he writes that his efforts to discuss serious issues with students were sometimes flattened. He admitted to using the slur again, saying it was used during a conversation with a trip participant about a student suspended from high school after a video two years ago, showing the student using the slur.
“Am I a racist?” Mr. McNeil wrote. “I don’t think so – after working in 60 countries for over 25 years, I think I’m very good at judging people as individuals. But ‘Am I a racist?’ Answering about yourself is a tougher question than some self-righteous people think. “
He denied the allegation that he denied the existence of white facilities in his conversations with the students. And he criticized the final Times process that culminated, with Mr Buckett suggesting that he resign “after losing the newsroom”.
“We support Donald’s right to speak,” the Times said in a statement.
Mr M Kanil also writes more about his decades on paper and describes his active role in the Newsgild Union, adding that he felt it was inappropriate that some of the Times leaders who were considering his case were on the opposite side during previous years’ labor negotiations. . .
His departure from the Times led to widespread discussion, with some inside and outside the company saying it suggested that the paper was too hospitable to discuss the atmosphere, and others saying Mr Mankil was not allowed to continue in the past. Should. Role.
Mr. Mankill published his account on his first day as a former employee of the Times. He said the essay was investigated by two lawyers.
He wrote, “What happened to me is called a ‘witch’s discovery’.” It is not. It is a series of misunderstandings and mistakes. In 1997 in Zimbabwe – I may be the only live Times reporter who actually covered witch hunting. So inevitably worse. I’ll at least get my say. “
