New York Times Responds to AP “I” Word Ban

By Victor Landa, NewsTaco

Once the Associated Press changed it’s practice concerning the use of the term “illegal alien” last week most, if not all, eyes turned toward the New York Times. When would one of the world’s most respected newspapers follow the  AP’s lead and ban the use of the “I” word?

While many immigration and Latino issues advocates were celebrating the AP’s decision, the victory was not considered complete, not while some of the nation’s largest dailies – The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, for instance – still used the term.

The NYT’s response was not long in coming. On Friday the New York Times’ editor’s blog published a  370 word piece , by Lawrence Downs, that lays-out the “I” word issue, gives the pros and cons of the use their due, then paints a non-partisan picture of the AP’s decision:

…The AP is not trying to please or anger anybody. It wants no part in any culture wars; it’s a wire service. Plain, just-the-facts journalism like The AP’s has deep roots in our history…

An interesting point, Downs sees the AP following a societal or cultural trend.

But fairly recently, “illegal immigrant” stopped sounding inoffensive — because so many people started taking offense. That’s not the AP’s fault.

So the only reason the “I” word is offensive is because people starting taking offense to it?

That doesn’t take the pressure off the NYT. And on that count, we should expect something soon:

 Other news outlets, like The Los Angeles Times, are weighing in on the debate. The New York Times is considering its own changes, which I’m told will appear soon. Anti-“illegal immigrant” activists, savoring victory at The AP, are keeping up the pressure on The Times.

You can read the full article HERE, or by clocking on the picture.