Why the NYT public editor isn't inclined to be temperate

Daniel Okkrent, public editor of the New York Times has written a good paper on political bias during the American presidential campaign. Here's the question for a public editor: Is The Times systematically biased toward President Bush or John Kerry? To him, "The answer is no." And he adds: "Given the vicious nature of some of the attacks levied against certain reporters, I wasn't inclined to be temperate. There are many critics of The Times's election coverage who are measured and reasonable, and their views - very different from my own - will be represented in this space next week. I also don't wish to discourage readers who in good faith find errors, misrepresentations or unfair characterizations. They may occur randomly, but their frequency is disappointing, and I'll continue to forward meritorious complaints to the appropriate editors and reporters. Many will find expression in the corrections column, or in this one."

Source: New York Times