tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post1722525930245385978..comments2024-02-24T00:37:43.087-05:00Comments on The Other McCain: So NOW the NYT is fair to PalinRobert Stacy McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084541621503669804noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-51339718111636650552008-11-10T17:35:00.000-05:002008-11-10T17:35:00.000-05:00Here's Salter's account of why McCain couldn't tal...Here's Salter's account of why McCain couldn't talk with reporters on the plane -- for reporters it was just an opportunity to sink McCain and elect Obama President. For the record, I believe Salter on this:<BR/><BR/>"The changes to how McCain campaigned were forced by the press, Salter argued. "The fact that we didn't do the back-of-the-bus stuff is only a function that you guys really wouldn't let us," Salter said, referring to the media. "Once the cameras demanded to be there, it became, What can McCain say that we can circulate on the hour and embarrass the s___ out of him? So he just couldn't do it, and it wasn't a Bush hijacking or anything, it was recognizing reality. We were being mocked by the meta-narrative writers for being undisciplined, lacking a single central message.""Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562042392964282677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-4990710909692949812008-11-09T02:46:00.000-05:002008-11-09T02:46:00.000-05:00This commentary on how journos think is all well a...This commentary on how journos think is all well and good. . . provided journalism survives as a profession. Right now, I'd rather read the writing of a subject matter expert directly, than suffer through the usual, often-clueless, filter of the average "reporter."<BR/><BR/>Old-school, pro journos like our host, RSM, will survive the current media collapse by keeping their byline alive here on the web, and through books and public speaking (<I>media</I>, such as magazines and whatever papers survive, will still employ some writers for quite a while, but those writers need to be the best, in order to survive a shrinking market). RSM's excellent writing, his network of contacts, and his commentary skills make him well worth reading. But the vast majority of news I gather comes from knowledgeable folks working the issues as experts, and publishing directly to the web, not from "journalists."<BR/><BR/>Two examples: I read PowerLine blog and WattsUpWithThat blog nearly every day. That's four subject matter experts who write very well, providing knowledge with the news items they cover. You can't get much of that in a newspaper. <BR/><BR/>I also prefer the Michael Totten/Michael Yon style of web journals over the frequently-useless crap from AP or other "news agencies."<BR/><BR/>The byline <B>is</B> the brand.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to the web, journalism has devolved from "awe-inspiring profession" to "A bunch of people writing and saying stuff." For example, many blogs have become major players, and generate a lot of "page views." They may make far less money per-view, but the scale works in their favor long-term, provided they can manage the business model. This takes marketing savvy, coupled with skill in use of web technologies, and a commitment to detail and command of the subject. Writing well is merely an entry-level requirement.<BR/><BR/>So for any writer: if you want traffic, prove your credentials on the subject matter, and learn to write. If you are good, no one will give a damn whether you ever worked at Reuters or the Los Angeles Times. (I wouldn't be shocked if some reporters who've left the LA Times prefer no one know they were ever there.)<BR/><BR/>The collapse of the major papers will accelerate for a while. The TV journos will become more important for a while. Thankfully, none have the foot-to-the-neck hold over their audience's need for information they used to have. For better or worse, <I>The Media</I> now includes any who wish to participate, and we have learned that it is we who watch the watchmen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-91600415277198720722008-11-08T22:51:00.000-05:002008-11-08T22:51:00.000-05:00I have had over 30 years experience with reporters...I have had over 30 years experience with reporters, both print and broadcast. Some are very good and some are horrible. They couldn't even accurately quote me, even on tape, they would take things completely out of context. When I saw the same thing happening with those journalists that I considered accurate reporters, I asked why. To a man, and woman, they told me that their editor had "re-written" their report prior to publication. True or not, I was the one getting screwed. Now I give no interviews or share any information with the news media. Except you, of course.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-12487179881902398182008-11-08T21:44:00.000-05:002008-11-08T21:44:00.000-05:00I think this applies also to blogger treatment of ...I think this applies also to blogger treatment of journalists. I had a long back-and-forth with DrewM. about the possible merits and demerits of attacking Drew Griffin for blowing the Byron York quote in what was perhaps the best TV interview of Sarah Palin.<BR/><BR/>Keep in mind that Drew Griffin earned that interview because of his excellent reporting on ACORN, and that he was one of the few CNN guys who reported local government failures during Katrina. I would give him a measure of benefit of the doubt before calling him a "hack." Otherwise, we'll have no friends in the media at all.TomM.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09593255193340617837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-19384078318804697812008-11-08T19:02:00.000-05:002008-11-08T19:02:00.000-05:00Any advice for a young flack looking to become an ...Any advice for a young flack looking to become an old hack (PR person trying to transition to real journalism)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4223398383609158624.post-78213489078802160882008-11-08T15:39:00.000-05:002008-11-08T15:39:00.000-05:00I call b*llsh*t on this:>>The guy who files ...I call b*llsh*t on this:<BR/><BR/>>>The guy who files an unfair, inaccurate story needs to be confronted directly by the candidate. Not with an angry rant, but with a calm, cheerful appeal to the reporter's conscience. (Yes, even reporters have consciences.) "C'mon, Jim -- gimme a break here. That was wrong, and you ought to be honest and fair."<BR/><BR/>The crutch of 'bias'<BR/>As ridiculously liberal as most reporters are, they usually pride themselves on being factual and fair.<<<BR/><BR/>My every experience with the press tells me this is a fantasy.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562042392964282677noreply@blogger.com