N.Y. Times Admits Reporter Paid Source in Online Teen Porn Story

NEW YORK — The New York Times has admitted that former staff writer Kurt Eichenwald paid his source, Justin Berry, in order to gain his trust for a 2005 expose on teen porn websites.

In a sidebar to a follow-up column by the paper’s editor, Byron Calame, the New York Times disclosed that Eichenwald had paid Berry $2,000.

“The check should have been disclosed to editors and readers, like the other actions on the youth's behalf,” the paper said.

The story made Berry, who began selling sexual images of himself online at age 13, a poster boy for the pervasiveness of child pornography online. In the Eichenwald story, Berry revealed that his operation was fueled by a number of mainstream Internet sites.

“There are a number of companies that are unknowingly used as hosting companies for child pornography,” ASACP Director Joan Irvine told XBIZ at the time the story broke. “That includes billing companies and sites like Yahoo and eGold.com.”

After the article, Berry, now an adult, began working with the FBI to bring to justice the thousands of adults who encouraged him and other minors to perform sex acts online.

Eichenwald, who left the paper in October, told the Associated Press that he had sent the check in an effort to learn the true name and address of Berry, who used an alias at the time.

“We were gambling $2,000 on the possibility of saving a kid's life,” he said.

The Times, like many newspapers, prohibit reporters from paying sources.

Eichenwald said Berry’s grandmother eventually repaid the money, adding that he should have disclosed the initial payment in his story.

“I know I did unusual things, and if I should have disclosed what I did as a private citizen in more detail, so be it. But put me through the same situation, I can't say I'd do anything differently,” Eichenwald said.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Hustler Magazine Marks 50th Anniversary With Latest Issue

Hustler Magazine is marking its 50th anniversary with its June issue.

Aylo, Old Pros Launch 'Sex Work and Human Trafficking' Online Panel Series

Aylo has teamed up with sex worker support organization Old Pros to launch “Sex Work and Human Trafficking,” an online community panel series aimed at educating performers and creators on preventing trafficking and exploitation, which takes place at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, May 29.

EU Investigating 4 Adult Sites for 'Suspected Breaches' of DSA

The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings against Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos for “suspected breaches” of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Commission announced in a statement Monday.

Luxembourg Rejects Request to Enforce French AV Law

Government officials in Luxembourg have rebuffed a French government request to help enforce France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law by taking action against webcam platform LiveJasmin, the Luxembourg Times is reporting.

Jamie Young Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Jamie Young has relaunched her official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

American Arrested in Indonesia for Producing, Distributing Porn

An American man is being held for allegedly producing and distributing pornographic content in Indonesia via social media, according to Indonesian national news agency Antara and other sources.

Creator of Hentaied, Parasited Launches New Site 'Vampired'

Romero Mr. Alien, the creator of Parasited and Hentaied, has launched Vampired.com as both a stand-alone paysite and part of the Hentaied.Pro streaming platform.

Australian eSafety Commissioner Demands Stricter Child Protection Codes

Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety, is once again reviewing a “final” draft of industry codes to protect children from pornography and other age-inappropriate content, after eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant rejected the previously announced “final” codes as insufficiently stringent.

Nerdgasm: A Look at the Naughty Side of Pop Culture Geekdom

From “Call of Duty” to cosplay, from tabletop dice rolls to dungeon-inspired dirty talk, the worlds of geek fandom and fantasy are no longer confined to the basement. They’ve kicked down the door, shed the “Firefly” tee and gone full frontal.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Moves to Outlaw Internet Pornography

A parliamentary committee of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday approved a measure to outlaw online adult content in the country.

Show More