Not sure why this gets downvoted - the NYT has a terrible track record reporting about issues like this so it's a fair point.

"We give you access in exchange for favorable reporting", is the standard arrangement.

Absolutely, I am with you on that one. I don't know why it is downvoted...

Just to back this up, the NYT has been incredibly biased over and over and over and should not be treated as a reliable source of news.