Yale: New York Times and Washington Post Have 'Worldwide Reputation for Fairness and Accuracy'

August 20th, 2013 4:06 PM

Readers are strongly advised to remove all fluids, flammables, and sharp objects from their computers' proximity as the following is likely to cause uncontrollable fits of laughter! You've been warned!

In the Yale College Writing Center's guide to what's considered a "scholarly source," the New York Times and Washington Post are depicted as having developed "a national or even worldwide reputation for fairness and accuracy" (emphasis added):

Newspapers are not as easy to classify as other sources. Newspapers are not scholarly sources, but some would not properly be termed popular, either. Every source must be questioned for its stake in the material. The New York Post is known for its conservative political bias, for instance, and for its high opinions of Fox television shows (owned by the same parent company). You might be able to trust its sports coverage, but it would not be considered a neutral source for political news. But some newspapers have developed a national or even worldwide reputation for fairness and accuracy. The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The London Guardian are a few examples. On issues of fact, major mainstream magazines such as Newsweek and Time are also generally reliable.

Readers are advised that the total one-year cost for a Yale undergraduate is currently $64,130.

That's money well-spent to be told the Times, the Post, Newsweek, and TIME are fair, accurate, and generally reliable.

You can't make this stuff up!

(HT @SamuelOgundipe)