N.Y. Times Public Editor Deems Article On Lolo Jones Too Harsh

In response to public backlash to an article written about U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones, N.Y. Times Public Editor Art Brisbane wrote to displeased readers that in "this particular case, I think the writer was particularly harsh, even unnecessarily so." Brisbane: "I believe writers like Jere Longman, who does have a long and worthy track record at The Times, should have some room to express their hard-earned perspective. But this piece struck me as quite harsh and left me, along with others, wondering why the tone was so strong." Brisbane added, "The sports desk is certainly aware at this point that a number of readers were unhappy about the piece" (NYTIMES.com, 8/9).