"Gail didn't want me commenting on the opinion pages. I was hired by the news department and, despite the rabid assertions of the Times' enemies and detractors, the two really have nothing to do with each other"

Daniel Okrent’s reflection provides insight into the longstanding division between the news and opinion sections at major newspapers, notably The New York Times. By mentioning Gail, likely Gail Collins, a prominent editorial figure at the Times, Okrent highlights a clear boundary set within the publication: staff hired by the news department should not comment on the opinion pages. This demarcation preserves the fundamental principle of journalistic integrity, maintaining a strict separation between factual reporting and editorializing.

Okrent emphasizes that detractors of the Times often claim that news coverage is influenced by opinion, or vice versa, suggesting the entire operation operates as a unified ideological entity. He pushes back against these “rabid assertions,” indicating they are not only exaggerated but fundamentally wrong. The news and opinion wings function independently, with staff in each sphere bound by different professional expectations and ethical codes. News writers strive for objectivity, fairness, and thorough fact-checking, while opinion writers are granted the latitude to interpret events, advocate positions, and offer personal perspectives.

This separation is not merely procedural but represents a core value of journalistic practice at reputable newspapers. If blurred, it could lead to reader distrust, with audiences suspecting that news stories are tainted by advocacy or bias. Okrent’s assertion reassures readers that, despite external accusations and the charged media environment, the Times maintains internal safeguards to keep news distinct from opinion.

Hiring protocols further underscore this distinction. Someone brought into the news division is expected to adhere to roles that avoid public commentary on opinion platforms, preserving impartiality and credibility. Conversely, those in the opinion department can leverage their voice for editorial expression.

Ultimately, Okrent’s words are both a defense of the paper’s integrity and a teaching moment about the structural safeguards of journalistic organizations. They remind audiences that behind the scenes, responsible outlets consciously strive to prevent the conflation of news and opinion, maintaining their trustworthiness in the process.