Books with author The New York Times Editorial Staff

Whistleblowers are both celebrated and reviled. They expose illegal or unconscionable actions by a government official or organization, the dangerous practices or financial fraud of a corporation, or the perjury of a high-profile witness. The reasons that motivate whistleblowers are as diverse as the crimes and misdeeds they expose. Through articles written at the time of events, this book introduces readers to some of the most famous whistleblowers in recent history. These include Mark Felt, aka "Deep Throat," whose information helped uncover the Watergate scandal; Chelsea Manning, who, as Bradley Manning, shared classified documents revealing unsavory, untruthful, and potentially illegal activity by the United States government in the Middle East; and Grigory Rodchenkov, the doctor who exposed Russia's state-sponsored doping program.

As social media and other internet platforms develop and connect users in increasingly unique ways, the opportunities for cyberbullying to occur on those platforms develop as well. The demographics for cyberbullying are diverse too, including everyone from young teens to celebrities who are more used to public scrutiny. In this collection of articles, readers discover how news coverage of cyberbullying has evolved, and how law enforcement, app developers, and even advertisers are involved in combatting this serious and sometimes deadly trend. Media literacy terms and questions enhance readers' connection to the text.

Students have protested high school dress codes and their obligation to recite anthems and pledges. Teen activists such as Jamie Margolin, the founder of Zero Hour, and Xiuhtezcatl Martinez have made their voices heard on climate change. Teens have rallied around transgender students Lila Perry and Gavin Grimm for the right to use their preferred restrooms. After the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, killed 17 people, the nation met a new group of teen activists, including Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg. It was hardly the first school shooting the nation had seen; for students, it was the last straw. Rallying for stricter gun laws, high school students must now balance their journey through adolescence with the weight of political activism. Readers will engage with this timely collection, complete with media literacy terms and questions.

The United States, as reflected in the news media, has a long history of either requiring or requesting citizens to be participants in the military. From the Civil War, through two world wars and the Vietnam War, to the conflicts in Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism, perspectives on military service, the draft, and citizen soldiers has changed. How has military service been portrayed through the news and perceived by the public throughout the country's history of wars and peacetimes? And how have the attitudes of American citizens changed when it comes to serving in the military? This collection of articles explores these questions and more, and also features Media Literacy Terms and Questions to further inform and guide readers.

American politics have become increasingly polarized over the past several decades. As the two primary parties have moved further apart, so have those whose beliefs fall on the extremes of the political spectrum. This book features articles that examine the ideas and actions of political extremists from across the spectrum, ranging from single-issue groups like Second Amendment and anti-abortion radicals, to larger movements such as anti-government activists and the growing presence of white nationalists. With the reporting, photography, and media literacy questions and terms collected here, readers will discover that while these groups may operate on the fringes of American politics, the echoes of their positions resonate into the mainstream.

The United States, as reflected in the news media, has a long history of either requiring or requesting citizens to be participants in the military. From the Civil War, through two world wars and the Vietnam War, to the conflicts in Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism, perspectives on military service, the draft, and citizen soldiers has changed. How has military service been portrayed through the news and perceived by the public throughout the country's history of wars and peacetimes? And how have the attitudes of American citizens changed when it comes to serving in the military? This collection of articles explores these questions and more, and also features Media Literacy Terms and Questions to further inform and guide readers.

Recent elections around the world have been shaped by populism, where flamboyant politicians gather large crowds and campaign on behalf of "the common people." From Brexit to Donald Trump to countless other movements in Europe and the Americas, populism has changed the political conversation, often to the far right. From its origins in farmers' and workers' movements in the 19th century, we find countless populist politicians, right, left, center and beyond, using humble credentials, sometimes for and sometimes against the interests of "the people." In the end, the story of populism is the story of democracy: its transformations, its strengths, and at times its greatest threats. Media literacy terms and questions round out this collection to engage readers beyond the text.

When President Eisenhower identified the "military-industrial complex" as a powerful component of political and economic life in the United States, he also warned against feeding it too much power. That balance continues to be a hot debate. Where will readers stand on using military spending to fuel economic growth or limiting that spending to leave room for social programs? Should we be bolstering geopolitical power with military strength or limiting military spending in order to combat wasteful budgets? From drones to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to cyberoperations, this reporting reveals the extent of military spending and the complex political problems associated with controlling it. Beyond the text, features to further challenge readers include media literacy terms and questions.

Homelessness is a visible problem in big cities, and a largely invisible one in small towns and rural areas. This issue involves serious consequences for those living on the streets, in tent cities, or in their cars. Homeless people deal with unsanitary conditions, crimes inflicted against them, and an array of mental, emotional, and physical health problems. Homelessness affects young and old, single people and entire families, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals, among others. This incisive collection of articles examines the myriad issues faced by communities, activists, governments, and private charities when addressing this vulnerable population. Media literacy questions and terms are included to help readers further analyze news coverage and reporting styles.

Military drones have revolutionized warfare in the 21st century. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or U.A.V.s, allow the Air Force to monitor and neutralize targets remotely, keeping pilots and comrades in enemy territory safer in the process. Central to the U.S. counterterrorism campaign since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, models such as the Predator and Global Hawk have been used in Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen, among other areas in the Middle East and Africa purported to have terrorist activity. This cool book follows the development of U.S. drone policy, documenting the effects on U.S. forces, foreign relations, and the legal and ethical concerns of covert, remote airstrikes. Media literacy questions and terms challenge readers to further analyze the reporting styles and devices used to cover this uniquely modern issue.

The popular imagination has seen a resurgence of interest in space research. It is fueled by the discovery of over 1,000 exoplanets, promising discoveries on Mars, and recent successes in commercial space exploration. Though space exploration remains a high cost, speculative enterprise, scientists and pundits argue we are closer than ever to answering key questions about life in the universe and human prospects of living off-world. The New York Times articles collected in this volume will reveal how concerns about planet Earth and space research development contribute to the quest for space colonization.

When will artificial intelligence become a reality? It already is. Although the idea of artificial intelligence has captured the human imagination since antiquity, the term wasn't coined until the mid-1950s. Since then, A.I. has steadily entered many humans' lives, and its continued integration appears inevitable. This book collects recent New York Times articles that present the most current discussions about artificial intelligence. How is A.I. being developed? What will its impact be on work and the economy? What might it mean for religion and philosophy? And, perhaps the most urgent question, will A.I. benefit humanity, or cause its demise?