New York Times unsure how to deal with their journalists turned authors

Posted by Diana Epstein on March 22, 2006 at 6:31 PM

Although a firm policy is still in the making, New York Times journalists who wish to write books, even if its off their beat, may face problems with the paper.

According to The Observer, executive editor Bill Keller put out a memo to try to clarify the paper’s policies on book writing. Mr. Keller decided to bring up the policy due to a “tidal surge in the yearning of Times

staffers to put their wisdom between hard covers,” which, along with loss in revenue, would further jeopardize the newspaper.

In response, the Newspaper Guild called a grievance meeting to object to Mr. Keller’s account of the rules with the primary concern focused on the message that Times editors should be told in advance of a book project even if the topic is off the reporter’s beat.

With no clear book policy, one of the biggest questions is whether or not reporters are allowed to take book leave, which Mr.Keller said “there is no one-size-fits-all policy.”

As print journalism as a whole constricts,” a Times staffer said, “people are getting a little restless and have fewer options or exit strategies. Because of that, they look to books.”

Source: The Observer