Story perspectives

Florida AG Seeks NYT Board Docs Over Coverage Errors

8/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded six years of New York Times board documents, noting the state pension fund holds about 160,000 shares.
In a 28-page Aug. 10, 2026 letter, Uthmeier listed 72 Israel-Hamas coverage errors from Oct. 7 2023 to June 2024, set a 14-day deadline, and threatened a New York Supreme Court lawsuit.
New York Times senior vice president Danielle Rhoades Ha called the demand an attempt to chill First Amendment journalism and pledged a fuller response.

History

Historical Context

In 1971 the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in New York Times Co. v. United States rejected Nixon’s effort to block publication of about 2,000 pages of the Pentagon Papers, affirming press freedom. Florida Attorney General Ashley Uthmeier’s 2026 subpoena for New York Times board records now tests that precedent; an adverse ruling could shrink the First Amendment protection established in 1971.

1 of 2

Story summary

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded six years of New York Times board documents, noting the state pension fund holds about 160,000 shares.
In a 28-page Aug. 10, 2026 letter, Uthmeier listed 72 Israel-Hamas coverage errors from Oct. 7 2023 to June 2024, set a 14-day deadline, and threatened a New York Supreme Court lawsuit.
New York Times senior vice president Danielle Rhoades Ha called the demand an attempt to chill First Amendment journalism and pledged a fuller response.

1 / 2