The New York Times has been all up in this Don Imus racist-talk craziness, with David Carr's fully huffy article about the show and then Maria Newman's midday update today. The New York Times formerly advertised on Imus's show—the paper was one of five major sponsors. (Others are Newsday, Simon & Schuster, Random House, and the New York Stock Exchange.) According to a Times spokeswoman, the paper "does not currently advertise on Imus in the Morning. We have not for months and have no plans to do so." Smooth timing! This morning Times standards editor Craig Whitney felt compelled to send out a communiqu to the paper's reporters reminding them that they should consider, very carefully, whether or not to make a radio, TV, or "Internet" appearance that might bring shame upon the House of Sulzberger.

Whitney wrote:

In light of the recent Imus flap, the newsroom staff might remember that Paragraph 102 of Ethical Journalism says:"In deciding whether to make a radio, television or Internet appearance, a staff member should consider its probable tone and content to make sure they are consistent with Times standards. Staff members should avoid strident, theatrical forums that emphasize punditry and reckless opinion-mongering. Instead, we should offer thoughtful and retrospective analysis. Generally a staff member should not say anything on radio, television or the Internet that could not appear under his or her byline in The Times. Paragraph 101 also says that as a courtesy, staff members should let their department head know about their plans to appear on other programs.

Thanks
— Craig Whitney