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The Fourth Estate

By Colin Campbell 5/01 10:35am

The Fourth Estate

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The Tabloids Tout Bloomberg’s Times Tirade

Yesterday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg fiercely condemned The New York Times for its lackluster coverage of the shooting death of 17-year-old Alphonza Bryant and its editorials critical of the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy. “Do you think that if a white, 17-year-old prep student from Manhattan had been murdered, The Times would have ignored it?” Mr. Bloomberg sarcastically asked himself. “Me neither.”

Several of The Times competitors took notice.

“Take that, New York Times!” New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin declared in an op-ed piece prominently featuring The Times‘ logo. “And thank you, Bloomy.” Read More

By Colin Campbell and Jill Colvin 4/23 1:55pm

The Fourth Estate

Anthony Weiner (Photo: Getty)

Anthony Weiner’s Peculiar Press Strategy

As he explores a potential mayoral campaign, Anthony Weiner has become his own one-man press shop, often trading barbs with reporters on the news of the day. And, for a man who was forced to resign from Congress because of inappropriate electronic communications, Mr. Weiner doesn’t appear to expend much effort filtering his speech.

For example, a Politicker reporter shares a name with a famous ice hockey player, and Mr. Weiner, an avid hockey fan himself, focused on that fact during one of many interview requests.

“I totally just noticed your name! you play defense by any chance?” he jokingly asked, displaying both his trademark snark and his disinclination to discus the inquiry’s substance. Read More

By Ross Barkan 5:01pm

The Fourth Estate

Bloomberg Presents City's 2014 Preliminary Budget

Mayor Bloomberg Wishes the Press Would Let Obama Golf in Peace

In a chapel on Rikers Island today, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the press shouldn’t be irked about being barred from photographing a round of golf between President Barack Obama and Tiger Woods.

“I don’t know why the president has to have people watch what he does,” said Mr. Bloomberg, responding to a question from CBS’s Rich Lamb during a press conference introducing an anti-recidivism program. “He has a right to a vacation. You take a vacation occasionally, you don’t work 24/7. He does. He works very hard and he certainly has a right to his private life.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/23 2:25pm

The Fourth Estate

(Photo: Getty)

White House Uninterested in Beyoncé Controversy

Beyoncé Knowles may or may not have sung the “Star Spangled Banner” at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, but the country’s executive branch seems disinclined to find out.

Ever since reports first accused Ms. Knowles of lip-syncing the patriotic anthem, inaugural news coverage has sharply focused on the issue, including front-page treatment from New York City’s two tabloid dailies. Yet asked about the ongoing controversy during today’s media briefing, Mr. Obama’s press secretary, Jay Carney, had no significant comment on the matter. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/17/12 2:12pm

The Fourth Estate

Stu Loeser being interviewed. (Photo: @BrianLehrer)

Loeser Says NYC Press Friendlier Than DC Counterparts

Mayor Michael Bloomberg sometimes gets snippy with reporters asking him questions at his press conferences, as many reporters know. One of the most famous moments was when Azi Paybarah, then at The Observer, asked Mr. Bloomberg if he was undermining his own argument for extending term limits by touting the city’s economic improvement. Mr. Bloomberg responded by calling him “a disgrace.”

Mr. Bloomberg’s outgoing press secretary Stu Loeser was played the audio of this exchange on the Brian Lehrer Show this morning and was asked how he felt about the Bloomberg’s relationship with the press. Mr. Loeser, who can sometimes aggressively manage reporters himself, responded by heaping praise upon them. Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/06/12 7:32pm

The Fourth Estate

Times photographer Robert Stolarik and a police officer at an Occupy Wall Street protest last December. (Photo: YouTube)

Police And Paper Have Conflicting Stories After Photographer Allegedly Beaten And Arrested in The Bronx

According to the NYPD, New York Times photographer Robert Stolarik “violently resisted” being arrested Saturday night and “inadvertently struck” an officer after he got too close to police who were dealing with another suspect. Mr. Stolarik and Times attorney George Freeman dispute this account and claim he was kicked and beaten by the police after simply attempting to do his job. After a long winter that was filled with clashes between New York City’s press and police at Occupy Wall Street, Mr. Freeman told The Politicker this incident shows the NYPD has failed on its promise not to interfere with those who cover the news on city streets. As for, Mr. Stolarik, he just wants to get his cameras and press pass back. Read More