'Careful reader'

“Careful reader”

(Exclusive.) On October 24 last year a bombshell investigation appeared on the front page of the New York Times, headlined ‘What Drugmakers Did Not Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials.’ The story, by Walt Bogdanich, who has won the Pulitzer Prize three times, and Carson Kessler, reported those who ran drug trials were withholding potentially vital information from participants.

For weeks prior to publication one of the Times’ top health reporters, Pam Belluck, had been raising fierce objections about the story, we have learned. Belluck, who has been on the Times’ health desk since 2009 (and has also won a Pulitzer), complained about the substance of the investigation in multiple memos. 

When the story was published journalists at the Times noted a series of critical comments, posted under the username “Careful reader”, that echoed the complaints Belluck had been making. 

When editors at The Times pulled the metadata to find out more about “careful reader”, they found that the commentator was William Dedman, another investigative reporter (not for the Times), who is married to Belluck. When Times bosses confronted Belluck about her husband's careful reading she denied all knowledge or involvement in the posts. 

“It's not how good colleagues should work together,” Bogdanich told us. “I was offended by it and my editors were concerned how it was handled by her. She says she had no involvement with her husband and knows nothing about it. I don't believe that for one second.”

Bogdanich says he feels Belluck should have been reprimanded. “I don't know what her motive was. Jealousy? She thought she was the queen of the land and no one could come on her beat. She did not behave honorably or properly.”

Belluck and Dedman did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Times initially declined to comment. Then after publication asked that we include this statement.

"The Times's newsroom has experienced and incisive health and science reporters who bring decades of experience, and our investigative teams approach the most difficult reporting topics with determination with their own unmatched insight. Our culture aims for open dialogue, collaboration and respect, all in the name of producing the best journalism possible."