Nicholas von Hoffman

takes on the Times:

"By the standards of professional journalism, the paper has much to be criticized for. But to what extent are the loudly broadcast standards of journalism those of a real profession rather than the advertising hoopla of an industry which finds it profitable to deck itself out in the clothing of truth, justice and the American way? It is an unsettled question as to the extent that an industry or a company should be held to its own advertising claims. Maybe the product they are delivering is the only product they're likely to deliver, and we consumers had better make the best of it and cultivate other sources of information as needs be. But The Times ought to be able to get most of the names spelled right, and outright lying is still a definite no-no."