Today Jon Friedman talks to Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., who hits on something important about all the NYT-bashing scrutiny of the past year: It’s done out of love, like a parent gently scolding a straight-A child for slackin’ off and accusing Gerlado of a nudge scraping by with a C. In any case, it’s only because we care, and also because let’s face it, Judy Miller and Jayson Blair are definitely worthy of a dunce-cap. In any case, here are some of the comments Friedman coaxed out of Sulzberger in the piece:

• On James Risen‘s infamous spying story: “The decision to hold it never even got to me. It was made for good journalistic reasons.”

• On the Judy Miller imbroglio: “I learned that maybe I got too close to an issue. I could’ve been supportive without being present.”
• On an easy scapegoat for the above: “Too many lawyers spoil the broth.”
• On the future of the NYT: He is definitely focused on “how we’re going to make the business-model transition from print to digital.”
• On spelling his name right: He hopes, at least, for that.

Controversies dog Sulzberger’s Times [MarketWatch]