Media

Jeff Jacoby returns

by Dan Kennedy

Wrapping up a four-month suspension for what was officially called "serious journalistic misconduct," Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby will return to the op-ed page next Wednesday, November 8. Jacoby will join other Globe pundits in writing a short, day-after analysis of the election results before resuming his regular twice-weekly column.

Jacoby became a national cause célèbre when he received a stunningly harsh punishment for writing a Fourth of July tribute to the signers of the Declaration of Independence without noting that he was drawing on similar pieces by Paul Harvey and Rush Limbaugh's father, as well as material published in Ann Landers's column and on the Internet. Some of Jacoby's conservative supporters charged the liberal Globe with acting out of ideological malice. But even if you don't buy into that conspiracy theory (and I don't), four months without a paycheck still appeared to be a disproportionately tough penalty for what was a minor, apparently inadvertent offense (see "Don't Quote Me," News and Features, July 14 and 21).

"I gave a lot of consideration to not coming back," says Jacoby. "I was advised very strongly by a lot of people not to even think of returning to the Globe. But I was also advised by a lot of other people not to even consider resigning. In the end, I decided to go back and see what the weather was like. If I can write the kind of column I want to write, that will be great. But if I'm blocked, I'll move on. I'm certainly hoping for the best."

At the time of Jacoby's suspension, he said he was told by editorial-page editor Renée Loth that his column would have to undergo a "serious rethink" if he chose to return. Loth could not be reached before press time, and Jacoby declined to comment on whether he and Loth have had any subsequent discussions on changes to his column. But, in general, the op-ed page features too many nationally oriented think pieces and not enough local columns informed by the writer's own reporting. No doubt Loth, who has a strong background in community news, would be pleased if Jacoby (and his colleagues) did more legwork and less pontificating -- à la Joan Vennochi, the only consistent must-read on the page.

Jacoby's return also means an end to regular appearances by his fill-ins, Detroit News columnist Cathy Young and local lawyer Jennifer Braceras -- although Loth said at the time they were brought on, shortly after Labor Day, that either or both might continue to contribute occasional columns. Both proved to be reasonably thoughtful, if not nearly as conservative as Jacoby.

As for those who wonder what Jacoby might have said about the presidential race this fall, wonder no longer. He recently wrote a commentary headlined 40 REASONS TO SAY NO TO GORE that's been posted on the Web site Jewish World Review. Jacoby's column is online at www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/jacoby.html.