Podcast “Caliphate”: Public Radio Calls on New York Times for “Expiration of Trial”

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A group of 24 public radio stations sent a letter to the Times audio department on Monday with their response last month when newspapers announced that the podcast “did not meet our standards of accuracy” in the Times audio department. with the concern of “trial slips.” These stations broadcast “The Daily,” The Times’ main daily podcast. The letter, obtained by CNN Business, was previously published by Erik Wemple of the Washington Post.

The Times began an investigation into the reporting process behind “Caliphate” in September after Canadian police accused Shehroze Chaudhry of “terrorist activity.” Last month, The Times said it found a history of misrepresentation by Mr. Chaudhry and that it is not corroborated that he committed the atrocities he described in the “Caliphate” podcast, “according to a note from the editor, adding audio corrections to episodes.
These journalistic mistakes have been a black mark on The Times ’audio ambitions led by the team behind“ The Daily ”. “Caliphate” won the 2018 Peabody in the radio / podcast category, a prestigious journalism award, which The Times has since returned.
Monday’s letter, sent by the Association of Public Radio Program Directors, did not focus on the merit of the podcast, but on how The Times handled the consequences. He expressed three concerns. The first of the questions concerned “The Daily” host Michael Barbaro, who contacted other journalists in what was perceived as an attempt to try to influence his coverage of the consequences of the “caliphate.” . These messages were previously reported by David Folkenflik of NPR, who had been one of those contacted by Barbaro.

The letter also said The Times’ decision to have Barbaro interview with Times executive editor Dean Baquet was “flawed,” in part because of Barbaro’s decision. personal relationship with Lisa Tobin, the executive producer of “Caliphate.” The two are engaged.

The final concern was about Andy Mills, a “Caliphate” producer. The letter replies that Mills has “more visibility” after the aftermath, while Rukmini Callimachi, the journalist behind the podcast, was reassigned. Mills had produced and organized an episode of “The Daily” that was published a few days after The Times announced the results of his research on the “Caliphate” podcast. The letter also related to a Washington Post story about allegations of misconduct by Mills, most of which occurred in his previous work on WNYC’s Radiolab.

Abby Goldstein, president and CEO of the Association of Public Radio Program Directors, told CNN Business Tuesday that the letter was intended to communicate concerns and not “draw a line in the sand” with specific demands.

“When we put programming on the air for our audience, we support that programming. We are telling our audiences that we believe in the journalistic rigor of these programs and we make them available to you through our largest megaphone.” Goldstein said. The letter is about “really taking responsibility for staff behavior.”

The Times responded Tuesday to each of the concerns in a letter signed by Sam Dolnick, an assistant editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

“We believe we have managed what meant a significant journalistic lapse with accountability. We are deeply committed to continuing to pursue ambitious audio journalism and have already begun to implement changes that will make our audio report even stronger.” , Dolnick wrote.

Dolnick wrote that The Times did not believe Barbaro should reveal his relationship with Tobin, as the conversation was seen as an “audio version” of an editor’s note, while a “responsibility interview” was conducted. “and NPR. He also said Barbaro “deeply regrets” the private messages he sent to journalists and that “editors have discussed their expectations with him for the future.”

Regarding Mills, Dolnick wrote that The Times takes allegations of misconduct “very seriously.” As for why Mills hosted the recent episode of “The Daily,” Dolnick said the episode had been scheduled earlier, but that the company “should have changed its plan.”

The Times did not comment beyond the letter. Barbaro and Mills did not respond to requests for comment.

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