NYT's Dean Baquet Blasts 'Ham-Handed' New Republic Owner Chris Hughes

New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet has some words of wisdom for a few of his embattled comrades in print media.

During an interview with Women's Wear Daily's Alexandra Steigrad, published Friday, Baquet was particularly candid when asked about the mass exodus from The New Republic, and owner Chris Hughes' inelegant management of the situation.

"I have to say, it sounded ham-handed the way the guy handled it," Baquet said, adding that he wished he knew more about what had transpired. "I think when all of your writers leave, you’ve done something really bad."

Baquet also weighed in on the recent scandal at Rolling Stone, which has been criticized as a blockbuster story detailing a gang rape at the University of Virginia has rapidly unraveled under increased scrutiny.

"If we did that story, I would have insisted that we talked to the accused," said Baquet. "I just would have insisted on that. That’s sort of like rule number one in journalism: You go to the accused. That’s a gimme."