Carlos Slim jabbed by New York Times

In a brazen attempt to prove its editorial independence, the New York Times has made a half-hearted jab at the Mexican multi-billionaire who only recently came to their rescue. Carlos Slim, one of the very richest man in the world, bought a 6.4 per cent stake in the paper last September, before coming up with a further $250m in January to help the paper out of a crippling debt.

His reward? An article in the NYT by Marc Lacey which paints the 69-year-old tycoon as a reluctant media baron. "He invests money in an array of television and newspaper companies and says he sees a bright future for those media companies that adapt," writes Lacey. "But when the news media focus their spotlight on him, he sometimes gives the impression that he wants to be left alone to make more money in peace."

As the US site Gawker commented: "Of course he wants to be left alone to make his money in peace. Like every other billionaire! .... Really, the story is about the NYT proving that it won't have its coverage influenced by rich investors."

Slim actually refused Lacey an interview so the reporter went to a Mexico City based financial journalist who knows all about the local man made good (he has a fortune estimated at $60bn). "His leverage is tremendous…That's how he muffles all the criticisms that might come his way," said the expert.
 
"He may muffle some critics, but not all," states Lacey. Apparently Slim has been "stung" by suggestions that he "is a some kind of robber baron" – a label used in 2007 by one Eduardo Porter, a New York Times editorial writer. ·