![](\"https:\/\/cdni.rt.com\/files\/2019.04\/thumbnail\/5cb73c8cfc7e93751a8b4577.JPG\")
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Prolific tweeter and former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul suffered a shock on Tuesday, finding himself blocked by a fellow liberal and New York Times reporter \u2014 for the unforgivable sin of criticizing one of his articles.<\/p>\n
It was zero tolerance from Times reporter Kenneth P. Vogel after McFaul tweeted that the paper of record was not at \u201ctheir best\u201d<\/em> in the piece and criticized the \u201cshocking\u201d<\/em> methods used by the reporter for the article in question.<\/p>\n This is shocking. @nytimes<\/a> , what are you doing? What on earth would a mother have to do with a story about her daughter and Sanders? Now more than ever, we need our best news organizations to be their best. This is not that. https:\/\/t.co\/bab0mRLBFl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael McFaul (@McFaul) April 16, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n The unsuspecting McFaul went about his business only to discover hours later that a clearly insulted Vogel had pulled an insta-block on him, seemingly unable to take mild (and very politely expressed) criticism, even from a former Obama administration official who he had worked with before on previous stories.<\/p>\n I just realized that @kenvogel<\/a> has blocked me? Because I criticized his article today? Wow. I’ve worked with dozens, maybe hundreds of reporters @nytimes<\/a> over decades, including Ken. This is really odd.<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael McFaul (@McFaul) April 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n Many might have simply moved on with their day, but the shell-shocked McFaul was nowhere near ready to let the issue drop. Instead, he tweeted about the unexpected burn 13 more times \u2014 and that\u2019s not including the multiple retweets he shared from other people also criticizing Vogel\u2019s reluctance to engage.<\/p>\n A \u201csaddened and offended\u201d<\/em> McFaul tweeted about how he had read the paper “every day for over thirty years”<\/em> and pondered whether, as a purchaser, he had an inalienable right to see its reporters tweets.<\/p>\n I find it unethical. Frankly, I’m also shocked. And as a HUGE fan and 30+ year subscriber of the @nyt<\/a>, I am also saddened and offended. (Imagine me blocking a Stanford student?) https:\/\/t.co\/UlcGaqaMyX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael McFaul (@McFaul) April 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n So, you see, I — as a purchaser of this newspaper — should be able to see such a tweet, since that is a continuation of the reporting\/story. At least, that’s my position. But again, Im ready to change my mind if someone can provide a rationale for being blocked by @kenvogel<\/a>. https:\/\/t.co\/gWmljSd9H7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael McFaul (@McFaul) April 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n The issue, he said, was \u201cbigger than one journalist,\u201d<\/em> imploring the Times’ editors to \u201cweigh in\u201d<\/em> on Vogel’s \u201cunethical\u201d<\/em> block-happy approach to Twitter criticism. It might even be \u201ccutting against the grain of free speech,\u201d<\/em> he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Other tweeters attempted to soothe McFaul\u2019s hurt feelings by letting him know that liberal Vogel also makes…liberal use of the block button, too. Vogel \u201cmass blocks literally everybody\u201d<\/em> who is even \u201cslightly critical,\u201d<\/em> one tweeter, said. Another who claimed to have \u201cknown Ken [Vogel] since Kindergarten”\u00a0<\/em>didn’t escape<\/a> his Twitter wrath either.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t think it matters that he mass blocked. I pay for a subscription to @nytimes<\/a>. As long as I am respectful and don\u2019t violate Twitter rules I should be able to question and criticize journalists tweeting from their official accounts.<\/p>\n \u2014 Bridget OBrien (@bridgetobrien06) April 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n Vogel, for his part, hasn\u2019t commented on the spat \u2014 but tweets he posted a few days prior to the McFaul drama (likely following another blocking spree) offer some insight into his blocking policy.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have the right to say whatever you want (short of threats), & I have the right to chose not to listen,\u201d<\/em> he wrote.<\/p>\n Well, that\u2019s that then. So much for those liberal values of free speech and civil debate.<\/p>\n I am continually surprised by the folks on this website who lob ad hominems, question motives & even make threats, then become outraged when they get blocked.<\/p>\n You have the right to say whatever you want (short of threats), & I have the right to chose not to listen.<\/p>\n \u2014 Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) April 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n Like this story? Share it with a friend!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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