Talk:Mark Thompson (media executive)

Removed sentence
'Mark Thompson travelled to Israel in 2005 with his wife Jane Blumberg who is Jewish.'

The above sentence comes up in search but is missing in the article. Why was it removed, is it factually incorrect? --Wool Bridge (talk) 09:18, 25 January 2009 (UTC)

Can anybody verify this?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.223.86.222 (talk) 13:03, 28 January 2009 (UTC)


 * It can be verified, it's just not particularly germane to the article - it was being added to the "Controversies" section with nothing to support the assertion that it was controversial. It's probably better suited to the main BBC article, where it can be read in context (e.g. he also travelled to the Palestinian Territories and met Mahmoud Abbas).  There's more detail below.  Cheers,  This flag once was red propagandadeeds 13:25, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Political interference??
A very large amount of relevant material has been removed from the section of the article dealing with the refusal of Mark Thompson to broadcast the DEC appeal for Gaza. While it is obviously not acceptable to put in personal opinions, it should be possible to add factual information, backed up by references, which is relevant to the story. The intereference would appear to be political, and is very unfortunate, but presumably unavoidable in Wikipedia. I assume the only way to deal with this is to be as vigilant as the other side in reverting to older editions. Epzcaw (talk) 10:00, 25 January 2009 (UTC)epzcaw

Needs compacting/reorganising/wikifying
I agree that Thompson's stance on the DEC appeal needs to be covered. However in the rush to do so we have got rather a disorganised and unencyclopedic article. Different people have been adding material in different places when the relevant stuff needs to be grouped together. Formatting is not inline with the WP:Manual of Style with excessive use of bold, links to articles direct in the text rather tham from footnotes etc. Can the active authors here perhaps get togetehr and work out what are the key points?--Peter cohen (talk) 17:24, 25 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I agree, and have made a start, though more needs to be done.Epzcaw (talk) 20:44, 25 January 2009 (UTC)epzcaw

Gaza section
There are problems with the tone, wording and extensive use of quoting. I have tried to clean it up as best as I can, but there are still significant issues. This section really needs sorting out. J Milburn (talk) 22:33, 25 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I have created a separate article about the decision by the BBC not to broadcast the appeal. It needs a lot of tidying up, but it should be free from the constant political interference which occured on this page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Epzcaw (talk • contribs) 23:55, 25 January 2009 (UTC)


 * And I've redirected it back to the BBC controversies page, which is the place it should be in at the moment. Black Kite 00:00, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

Information which keeps getting removed
He has had talks with Ariel Sharon - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/bbc-chief-holds-peace-talks-in-jerusalem-with-ariel-sharon-517400.html in order to 'build bridges with the BBC'. His wife is an Israeli. - NominalActor (talk) 00:58, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Can you provide a source that says she's an Israeli? - I've looked and the best I can find is that she's an American. As for having talks, it's the slanting is the problem - the claims "with his wife" isn't backed up with the source, neither is the odd omission from the same article that he spoke also with the leader of Abbas. --Cameron Scott (talk) 01:01, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * His wife is an American. Roregan (talk) 02:23, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Yeah, I'm not for sure where some POV-pushers can get an "Israeli" wife from the article... when it doesn't even mention it. seicer  &#x007C;  talk  &#x007C;  contribs  02:25, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

Why is mention of his talks with Sharon being constantly removed? - NominalActor (talk) 10:26, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Is it relevant to his biography here on Wikipedia? Are the talks nothing more than a single unimportant event? Are there third party, reliable sources for the talks having taken place and having been substantive? Are the talks to be mentioned because they're important or because they say or insinuate something about the subject of the article? Do the sources available tell us about all the talks this gentleman has had or just this particular conversation? What conclusions are being drawn from these talks? What conclusions are we seeking for others to make from Wikipedia's mention of these talks? ➨ ❝ ЯEDVERS ❞ dedicated to making a happy man very old 10:33, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * given his attitude on gaza, the talks are extremely relevant . -NominalActor (talk) 11:34, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * You have to understand how this looks - I came here via the BLP board where this article was raised as a problem. What do I find when I get here - copyright violations (70% of an newspaper article cut and paste into this article) and downright lies (Wife is an Israeli - false, went with him to talks - flase). Then you have the fact that the people wishing to add it want to quote half of the story and give a POV version of events. Even when the problems are corrected, most of it belongs on the BBC article not this summary article. --Cameron Scott (talk) 11:55, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Edit - indeed, looking at the history, *you* are still trying to add that he visited the middle east with his wife - something the source *does not say* - you are attempting to add lies to an article - we can't allow it. --Cameron Scott (talk) 11:57, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * The visit is sourced by a reputable source and It is entirely relevant to have something about the visit as the article say's it was "This was the first visit of its kind by any serving director general, so it's clearly a significant development,". No other director general has met with a foreign nations PM. Given his stand on the Gaza aid it is entirely relevant. What possible objection is their to including the infromation?(Fted (talk) 12:34, 26 January 2009 (UTC))


 * It's already included further down - however what's not acceptable is a rant about Sharon and his war crimes - it doesn't belong here. --Cameron Scott (talk) 12:36, 26 January 2009 (UTC)
 * Mark Thompson meeting with a alleged war criminal is relevant. The text on sharon comes from his Wikipedia page if you think it is a rant feel free to change that page also. You have listed it under "Broadcasting career" which is obviously not the correct place. It is a controversy hence should be under the section called "controversy". How is a visit relevant to "broadcasting career"? The correct place is the section on controversy. The fact that he met with Sharon which was the first act of it's type ever is entirely relevant and should be included as it is linked to the Gaza episode. (Fted (talk) 12:45, 26 January 2009 (UTC))


 * For it to be a "controversy" - a reliable source has to *report* it as a such - we can't make that judgement - can you provide a source that says the visit was a controversial visit? The original source doesn't say that. Also *how" is it linked to the Gaza incident - where are the reliable sources that link the two? --Cameron Scott (talk) 12:49, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Cameron is right, Fted. That paragraph is never going to fly, and in general, there has been a day of POV pushing on this article. Enough. --Tagishsimon (talk) 12:52, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Well maybe someone should put together a better worded paragraph that can be acceptable.It doesn't mean that we should NOT have a paragraph on the subject. The article needs a clear part that addresses that his actions where UNPRECEDENTED as the article says "This was the first visit of its kind by any serving director general, so it's clearly a significant development," Hiding it away under Broadcasting career in the hope no one notices isn't acceptable. As the article says it was the first act of it's type ever.. in the history of the BBC. The article also says that his visit was seen in "Israel as evidence that Thompson, who took office in 2004, intends to build bridges with the country's political class. Now how exactly is this not relevant??? If you don't like the paragraphs rewrite them - Do not however bury them in some unrelated section in the hopes no one notices them. (Fted (talk) 13:56, 26 January 2009 (UTC))


 * What is your suggested wording? --Cameron Scott (talk) 14:15, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

FWIW Sky News has also decided not to show the advert. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7850407.stm —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.194.193.228 (talk) 12:47, 26 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Can someone please remove the israeli-american wife tag? the references provided dont include anything about anything israeli. More probable that they are just using her surname as a reference.--62.239.159.6 (talk) 16:03, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Removed Original Synthesis
I've removed the below because they are original synthesis, i.e. a Wikipedia editor has sourced information from two sources and put them together to put forward a new argument not in either cite.


 * Labour MP Gerald Kaufman - the fact he is a member of the Jewish Labour Movement is not in the BBC cite, an editor has added this in order to suggest this should give his statement extra significance.
 * "It should be noted that Palmer at the same time praised other BBC departments." - the fact that this should be "noted" is not in the cite and has been added to enhance the significance, in the editor's POV, of the preceeding criticism.
 * Israeli Prime Minister - I see this has been covered before in the section above. Bottom line is that unless good cites can be found calling this controversial, or particularly significant, it is no more important than any other official engagement by the Director General, of which I'm sure he has had many.  As it stands it is no more than a transparent attempt at original synthesis by attempting to suggest there is connection between this visit and later events.  Unless we have a cites saying there is (and not just opinion pieces), then it doesn't belong on Wikipedia.-- Escape Orbit  (Talk) 16:53, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

My last edit re "committed" catholic
Sorry, I garbled the explanation of my edit. I meant to say that it is not clear how his children are being brough up religiously given the parents are from different backgrounds. Traditionally it would go with the mother who is Jewish.--Peter cohen (talk) 19:17, 26 January 2009 (UTC)
 * One can't be a committed Catholic and have Jewish children? (If he does)--Scott Mac (Doc) 19:28, 26 January 2009 (UTC)
 * There's no verified evidence that his wife is Jewish. It looks like more of the anti-Israeli crap we've been getting all day.--Scott Mac (Doc) 19:32, 26 January 2009 (UTC)
 * Please read WP:AGF which you clearly are not doing. And on her being Jewish, Google is your friend. confirms that she is Jewish. However it also confirms that the children are being brought up Catholic and substantiates that MT is devout.--Peter cohen (talk) 22:11, 26 January 2009 (UTC)
 * Well, I'm afraid the crap this article has been getting recently, determined to paint him as an Israeli sympathiser, it is pretty hard to assume good faith when we suddenly get references to his Jewish wife. But sorry if this just coincidental. (Side note, he could have been a devote Catholic with Jewish children?)--Scott Mac (Doc) 14:24, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Mark Thompson's talks with Ariel Sharon
Mention of his talks with Ariel Sharon - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/bbc-chief-holds-peace-talks-in-jerusalem-with-ariel-sharon-517400.html - in order to 'build bridges with the BBC' seems to have been banished from this article. Is there any reason for that? The talks with Sharon, came a couple of years after the BBC capitulated in other ways: [quote]In November 2003, the then director of the BBC World Service, Mark Byford, paid a visit to Israel which culminated in “a joint declaration on a commitment to objective coverage of Middle East events” and the appointment by the corporation of a special adviser on Middle East affairs, Mark Balen, to insure that Israel’s viewpoint was always represented, if not given primacy, in news and current affairs coverage. In return, and to save the BBC’s face, Israel agreed to lift a boycott it had instituted after the corporation screened the programme "Israel's Secret Weapon," about Israel's un-inspected nuclear, biological and chemical weapons capabilities.[/quote] ( from http://www.redress.cc/global/redress20090127 ) —Preceding unsigned comment added by NominalActor (talk • contribs) 12:32, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * There were repeated attempts to place it in the "Controversies" section, but the cited reference made no mention of any controversy. Cheers, This flag once was red propagandadeeds 12:39, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * The problem is with inserting this material is a way that may give a loaded impression. We'd need the context: that Israel believed that the BBC was biased against it. We'd need to know if the BBC had communications with other regimes that made simmilar claims. Using it to show that the BBC "capitulated" would not be neutral. Furthermore, the relationship between the BBC and Israel would be a matter for an article on the neutrality of the BBC, which could but it in context of the corporations policy in sensitive international area (and criticism of this) rather than using it on a bio. Frankly liking this with Thompson's Jewish wife, as we've had recently, is just unacceptable attacks.--Scott Mac (Doc) 12:45, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * And also every attempt to include it always seems to miss off that he used the same visit to visit the leader of the PLO Mahmoud Abbas, that's the other problem - it's an attempt to present a slanted view of the visit. I guess the truth doesn't have the right political message. --Cameron Scott (talk) 12:48, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I have put this back in the section about his appointment as DG. Have included reference to meeting with Abbas. However, all this might be more appropriate in the 'BBC controversies' or 'BBC criticisms' sections which I believe are to be merged. Epzcaw (talk) 14:01, 27 January 2009 (UTC)epzcaw


 * Alas, someone has removed it 'because he might have met with other people'. Difficult to see how you can add anything, since it will always be incomplete.  But I give up for the moment - I am too busy.Epzcaw (talk) 14:15, 27 January 2009 (UTC)epzcaw

Gregg Dykes letter
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/greg-dyke-on-broadcasting-519166.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wool Bridge (talk • contribs) 14:17, 15 September 2009 (UTC)

Rename to Mark Thompson (media executive)
In light of his being named CEO of the NY Times today, this article should be renamed Mark Thompson (media executive). Americasroof (talk) 22:38, 14 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Support - I was myself about to suggest this! TV and newspapers fall under the umbrella of media. He will still be known as the ex-director of the BBC in the UK, but now will be know as CEO of the NY Times in North America. "media executive" will cover both of these. Gaia Octavia Agrippa Talk 23:31, 14 August 2012 (UTC)


 * Support - seems like a sensible suggestion to me. Robofish (talk) 12:56, 17 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Support. Agreed to all above, though the transition across the Atlantic and to print et al. is not yet accomplished. Wait until 15 Nov.+-? Prob. best to, at this point. Swliv (talk) 16:19, 31 October 2012 (UTC)

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Infobox
Why is this structured like a political position? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.120.122.105 (talk) 20:04, 2 December 2016 (UTC)

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Updates to President and CEO of The New York Times Company: 2012–present section
Hello! On behalf of The New York Times Company as part of my work at Beutler Ink (see disclosure above), I'd like to submit a few requests to expand and update this article. First, I'd like editors to consider updating a couple details in the President and CEO of The New York Times Company: 2012–present section.

1. Currently, the section says, "" I propose updating this text to the following, per this source:

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thompson's total compensation in 2019 was $6.1 million, including salary and stock awards.

2. Currently, the section says, "" I propose updating the figures, per this Vanity Fair source:

As of May 2020, the company surpassed 5 million digital-only subscriptions, and 6 million total subscriptions, accounting for nearly sixty percent of the company's revenue.

I'd like to think these are non-controversial updates to existing text, and understand volunteer editors will have the final say here. I won't be updating the article directly because of my conflict of interest, so can someone please review these requests and update the article appropriately on my behalf?

Thanks for your consideration. Inkian Jason (talk) 16:21, 30 June 2020 (UTC)
 * I see you're an active editor who has worked on this page a bit in the past. Would you have a moment to review these 2 updates to existing text? Thanks, Inkian Jason (talk) 15:49, 7 July 2020 (UTC)
 * I see User: Andysmith248 is currently taking a break here on Wikipedia. You've both edited this article before. Would one of you be willing to review this request? Inkian Jason (talk) 14:41, 10 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Thanks for updating the article, Whoisjohngalt. Inkian Jason (talk) 14:32, 13 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Thanks for updating the article, Whoisjohngalt. Inkian Jason (talk) 14:32, 13 July 2020 (UTC)

Additional changes to The New York Times Company section
Hello again! I've returned with another version of the President and CEO of The New York Times Company: 2012–present section for consideration. Currently, the section has an unsourced and overly detailed claim about his salary change from 2015 to 2016, a paragraph about his book which has nothing to do with his role at NYT, and a couple additional details about his tenure with the company. I've drafted a new version here, which seeks to accomplish the following:


 * Add mention of why Thompson was hired as well as his main focuses (digital) and responsibilities (strategy, business operations) in this role
 * Remove the sentence, "He took a 43.1% cut in total compensation in 2016 to $4.9 million from $8.7 million in 2015." This text is currently unsourced, provides no context, and reads like a random fact (also, I don't think describing the changes to someone's annual salary is particularly helpful to readers)
 * To clarify, I'm advocating to keep mention of Thompson's total compensation in 2019, which is more up to date, per the above request
 * Add a few additional claims about his tenure at NYT, such as his investment in digital products and hiring of Meredith Kopit Levien, plus mention of a couple stances on journalism and media, which I'd argue are relevant given his role as president and CEO of a mass media company
 * Add an additional sentence about The Washington Post comment re: Enough Said, and relocate this paragraph to form a new standalone subsection because this work is not specifically part of his role as president and CEO of The New York Times Company
 * Place content in chronological order and use consistent date formatting for inline citations

This diff shows the specific changes I'm proposing for the above reasons. You'll see the new section heading for Enough Said, which I think should be fine structured similarly in the live article, but I understand editors may move elsewhere. Again, I won't be updating the article myself, given my COI, and I'm hoping User:Whoisjohngalt or another volunteer can review these requests and update the article appropriately on my behalf.

Thanks again, Inkian Jason (talk) 18:59, 21 July 2020 (UTC)


 * The request above has been ✅. I wish we had a better process for handling COI requests, but I have faith other editors will modify the material once it gets into the article.Whoisjohngalt (talk) 12:19, 22 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Thanks again for your help, Whoisjohngalt. Inkian Jason (talk) 14:17, 22 July 2020 (UTC)

Role of President and CEO of The New York Times Company
Meredith Kopit Levien will succeed Mark Thompson as president and chief executive officer, effective Sept. 8. She will join The Times Company's board and Mr. Thompson will step down as an officer and director of The Times Company (source). Can an editor please update the page appropriately?

Thanks! Inkian Jason (talk) 14:31, 22 July 2020 (UTC)
 * ✅ &#8211; MJL &thinsp;‐Talk‐☖ 08:38, 9 September 2020 (UTC)

Changes to the Personal life section
Hello again! I've returned with a revised Personal life section for consideration. I've identified 4 ways this section can be improved to be more accurate, complete, and up to date. I've drafted a new version here, which seeks to accomplish the following:


 * Remove the unsourced claim about which church he attends (I am unable to find any sources verifying this claim)
 * Correct his city of residence (I am unable to read the text of the current citation re: Oxford, but I've provided 2 sources confirming New York)
 * Add mention of his board roles at The New York Time Company and Royal Shakespeare Company (Does the infobox need to be updated as well?)
 * Add mention of the honorary degree presented by Sacred Heart University

This diff shows the specific changes I'm proposing for the above reasons. I don't think any of these claims or updates are controversial, but I will let other editors decide. I'm hoping User:MJL or another volunteer can review these requests and update the article appropriately on my behalf.

Thanks again, Inkian Jason (talk) 15:35, 17 September 2020 (UTC) My apologies, &#8211; MJL &thinsp;‐Talk‐☖ 14:59, 19 October 2020 (UTC)
 * These edits appear to have been made in their entirety and included in the article. Go4thProsper (talk) 19:32, 17 October 2020 (UTC)
 * You marked this request as closed and said "These edits appear to have been made in their entirety and included in the article", but I don't see these requests implemented. I see User:MJL made these changes shortly after this request was posted, but above I outlined 4 specific updates and I don't see them addressed directly. User:MJL, do you have a moment to weigh in here? I understand editors will decide whether or not the article should be updated as proposed but I'd like clarification if you believe these updates are appropriate. Thank you. Inkian Jason (talk) 14:55, 19 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I'm sorry, but I won't have the ability to review this since I'm going to shortly be under anesthetics to get my Wisdom Teeth out.
 * No problem and good luck! Are you willing to reopen the request until someone can review more closely? Inkian Jason (talk) 15:01, 19 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I have reopened the edit request for other editors to review and consider. Go4thProsper (talk) 03:00, 20 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Thank you. Inkian Jason (talk) 14:23, 20 October 2020 (UTC)
 * I've done most of these, but neither of your sources say he lives in NY, just that he works there. I've changed it to "United States". Andy Mabbett ( Pigsonthewing ); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 22:32, 22 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much, Pigsonthewing! Inkian Jason (talk) 14:14, 23 October 2020 (UTC)