Jodi Cantor, who broke the Weinstein story, identifies the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation as the turning point for the #MeToo movement. Before it, there was broad factual consensus and figures from both parties faced consequences. The Kavanaugh allegations politicized the issue, splitting public perception along ideological lines.
Using the Harvey Weinstein case, reporter Jodi Cantor makes a crucial distinction: victims deserve privacy (control over their story), but secrecy (systems of NDAs, settlements, and cover-ups) is what enables abuse. This framework helps organizations navigate transparency without harming individuals.
Reporter Jodi Cantor describes the court's culture as extreme. Justices are surrounded by "obsequiousness and reverence" from lawyers who need their vote. Simultaneously, they face a "sick culture" of public attacks and threats. This dual pressure creates a distorted environment unlike any other in public life.
NYT's Jodi Cantor explains her focus isn't leaking decisions that will eventually be public. Instead, she uses her limited time and capital to move information from the "secret side of the ledger" to the public side—facts and context that would otherwise remain hidden forever.
Jodi Cantor's careful language on the podcast isn't just caution; it's a strategic necessity. She operates under the assumption that her sources, or even the subjects of her reporting, could be listening. Every word is weighed to avoid giving the "wrong impression" and jeopardizing hard-won reporting access.
Unlike traditional justices who maintain decorum, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson uses dissents to speak directly to the public. By using words like "disillusionment," she breaks the unwritten rule against criticizing the institution itself, signaling a belief that the court's integrity is compromised and attempting to reach a mainstream audience.