NYT tightens social media after scandals: "People are locking down their accounts"

Several days later, the Times published a story about an infamous group of pro-Trump GOP operatives who have worked behind-the-scenes to dig up old, offensive social-media posts of journalists at news outlets deemed the “opposition” to President Trump.

The memo and article both alarmed Times staffers, spurring many to take precautions to protect themselves. “I think people are being more cautious, I know people are locking down their accounts,” one Times staffer told The Daily Beast.

And while there is no official edict or documented strategy, many editors have urged staffers to be hyper-vigilant about their social-media behavior.

“It’s a full-on issue now that even management is grappling with,” another Times employee said. “Everyone senses a need to come up with a plan to handle journalists’ social-media history, especially if this is going to be an ongoing problem.”