As if last Thursday's uproar over a Page One advertorial for NBC wasn't enough, the paper invited a second round of criticism when it was learned -- the next day -- that Sunday's Calendar entertainment section would carry a 4-page advertorial spread for a movie. “The Soloist."
But this time, I say so what? As a Times spokeswoman explained, the advertorial section was labeled as advertising, set in a font that's different than the news fonts, and carried bylines that made it clear to readers that they were reading an advertising section, not a news section.
Plus, it's back there in the Calendar section -- not like the L-shaped advertorial that disgraced Page One in the view of many staffers and readers (and me) and foolishly gambled the paper's credibility.
I'd say the "Soloist" pkg is nothing to worry about. Take the money and run. But I hope that whippin' last Thursday won't be forgotten.
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