Robert M. Smith's Suppressed: A Brief Review

Suppressed: Confessions of a Former New York Times Washington Correspondent by Robert M. Smith is a provocative memoir that pulls back the curtain on American journalism, offering a candid, if polarizing, critique of media bias and institutional failures. Published in 2021, Smith, a former New York Times White House and investigative correspondent, draws on his career in the 1960s and 1970s to expose how newsrooms, particularly the Times, filter stories, often suppressing critical truths to align with editorial agendas or protect powerful interests.

Smith’s narrative is most compelling when recounting his personal arc from a naïve reporter to a disillusioned cynic. A standout anecdote is his claim to have uncovered the Watergate scandal two months before Woodward and Bernstein broke it, only for the Times to ignore it due to “conscious bias.” This revelation is a focal point of the book, underscoring Smith’s argument that editorial gatekeeping distorts public understanding. 

He also critiques the Times’ coverage of the My Lai Massacre and its reluctance to challenge corporate interests, painting a picture of a newsroom cozy with power. His later reflections on the Times’ anti-Trump bias during the 2010s argue that partisanship undermined its credibility, a point that resonates with readers skeptical of media objectivity.

The book’s strength lies in its accessible, digestible chapters, making it an engaging read for those curious about journalism’s inner workings. At times, though, I found myself wanting more. The insights were good, but not everything held my interest.

Smith’s journey—from working-class roots to Harvard, Columbia, and eventually Yale Law School—adds a personal layer, grounding his critiques in lived experience. However, the memoir’s digressive nature and broad scope sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth. It could also be argued that his heavy focus on Times shortcomings is simply a matter of sour grapes. 

Nevertheless, Suppressed is still a useful exposé for readers interested in media critique or historical journalism from an insider's perspective. Two other books by insiders that I can recommend to go with this are Bias, by Bernard Goldberg, and Reporter, by Seymour Hersh.

84% of the reviewers gave the book 5 stars on Amazon.