All The News That's Figuratively Factual

Yes, the title is a takeoff of the NYTimes motto. Sadly, being less than accurate is becoming a signature characteristic of the NYT. John In Carolina has a recent example where the Times claims license to report "figurative" facts, not true and verifiable facts. Consequently, the NYT can print a falsehood and call it figuratively factual.

Literally, figuratively, and semantically, it seems the Gray Lady arrogantly reserves the right to blow smoke and call it the truth. So, the NYT now matches CBS in weasel-wording its way out of reporting verifiable facts. With CBS, it's "fake but accurate." With the Times, it's "figuratively factual." As a result, I'd say both sources are "half-assed reliable" at best. (via Betsy's Page)