All BRAD BLOG readers know that we’ve never had anything but the kindest of things to say here about The NY Times! Especially about their very fine pre-Iraq War coverage and their unparalleled post-election coverage! So don’t even bother to go searching these pages for anything but uncategorical praise for the old “Grey Lady”.
That said, in a far more serious item here yesterday headlined “The Empire Strikes Back: Bloggers Under Fire”, we mentioned being interviewed for a Times article which hits the stands tomorrow morning. The article has just been posted online tonight.
The Times’ Jonathon Glater covers the recent test case in California which may determine, in California at least, whether bloggers are entitled to the same legal protections as print and broadcast journalists when it comes to things like protecting the identity of sources.
The superb coverage in that fine paper by the brilliant Glater, both opens and closes with ingenious quotes from yours truly:
“It’s very serious stuff,” said Brad Friedman, who describes himself as an investigative blogger (his site is bradblog.com). “Are they bloggers because they only publish online? I think you have to look at what folks are doing. And if they’re reporting, then they’re reporters.”
…
[blah, blah, blah…stuff in which Brad is not quoted…blah, blah, blah…]
…
Mr. Friedman, the blogger, said that ultimately, bloggers’ role as purveyors of important information that traditional news organizations might ignore made online journalists more important than before, and so more deserving of protection.
“As the mainstream media has become more and more corporate and more and more like the governmental and corporate bodies that mainstream journalists used to report on,” he said, “a lot of this stuff has fallen now to the bloggers – to do what mainstream folks used to do. It’s still serving the exact same purpose: keeping the bad guys honest.”
In all seriousness, it’s an interesting discussion which, frankly, effects all of us much more than we wish it did. If only because of the nail hit squarely on its the head in that last quote by the devastatingly handsome Mr. Friedman.
By way of demonstration of the above point (the corporate thing, not the handsome thing), notice the following smart quote in the article made by law professor Susan Crawford:
She makes an excellent point, but perhaps even more notable, click on that URL which The Times chose to use when linking to themselves.
Nuff said. For now. Other than to note that this article on legal issues and journalistic ethics was placed decidedly in The Times’ “Technology” section. We have a feeling the MSM may still not be getting it. We’ll give them another week or two.
UPDATE: The Times’ Jonathon Glater, who wrote the above mentioned article, points out to us that, in the print edition, this story ran on the front page of the Business section (as opposed to “Technology” where it was in the online version).
This suit has implications for Indymedia, Ohmynews and all other non-traditional news reporting across the globe.
This suit has implications for Indymedia, Ohmynews and all other non-traditional journalism across the globe. Best wishes for a ruling in journalism’s favor.
Great blog! Keep it up!
JjB
That’s a VERY BIZARRE article, Brad. I mean the NYT piece, not yours. It has some astonishing quotes, such as:
What?? Why pajamas? Why beer? Why does it have to be a guy?
Who says a blogger cannot be a woman sitting in her lingerie drinking chablis?
OK OK I’m kidding again … but really? Just because you publish your articles on the net does that mean you can’t bother getting dressed? Hey, Mister Yale Law School professor, I’m wearing pants and a shirt and drinking tea! What do you have to say about that?
He was also quoted as saying this:
How does he know that most of them are for gossip? In order to know that for a fact, he would have to read at least half of the "millions and millions of blogs". Do you think he did that? Is that what law professors do? What rubbish!! But of course the NYT prints it as if it made sense. More rubbish!! Well at least he isn’t trying to start a war with this garbage. Of course even if he were, they would still print it!
Then there’s this astonishing sentence, not a quote, but something apparently written by Mr. Glater:
Is this man serious? Does he really think a blogger might be called to identify his sources if he happened to post a copy of the Pentagon Papers? Well at least that’s not going to be a problem for me, because I can tell you right now: I got my copy in a used book store. So that one’s solved, at least. It had been pretty well-used, too. Some secrets!!
And furthermore, I have never even thought of writing about good and bad recipes on please don’t read my blog. So I guess he’s not talking about me anyway.
And what’s with the word "print"? Doesn’t Mr. Glater understand YET that bloggers do not PRINT?? That’s what makes them bloggers, Mr. Glater! Hey, no problem. I’m happy to help you out on that one, buddy!
But wait! Here’s one more bizarre paragraph, again from Mr. Glater:
Reporters could find themselves at NEW RISK for what they write?? What is NEW about this risk?? Am I dreaming or are certain NYT reporters already at risk for something they DIDN’T EVEN WRITE? And on the other hand isn’t there someone who is NOT at risk even though he was the one who SPILLED THE BEANS in the first place?
Oh what a tangled web we weave! Sometimes I think we must have passed through the looking glass…
Phew! Long deep breath … yesterday I promised myself I wouldn’t post any more long rants here, and already I’ve broken my promise. What should I do as penance? Maybe I’ll put on my pajamas, crack open a beer, and write a hot new piece about how not to make chicken soup.
Oops! Gotta run! Here comes Alice!!
Wouldn’t be nice if "news" organizations allowed their reporters and editors to report without the heavy influence of the corporations that own them? And they be allowed to report on anything that met good journalistic integrity? Welcome to the blogosphere. Independent journalism has all but died off in the mainstream media, but it lives on at the blogs.
There’s a lot of garbage on the blogs, but there’s also a lot of good sites. That’s no different than paper media. Ever heard of The National Enquirer, gossip columns, and Rupert Murdoch? Puhhhlease! Who are these people trying to fool?
Whew. God…it’s now a "privilege" to be able to speak freely? I thought it was a "RIGHT."
Winter Patriot, this is Kafka-crazy I’m signing out of this mirrors-scenario. My head is tired and my soul is afflicted.
LOL, Winter!
How ’bout a gal in her sweats drinking a diet ginger ale?
How ’bout a dog with his diamond studded collar drinking buttermilk?
Probably all blogs are engaged in the love and art of conversation. That’s what they are about. The significance of the individual, and his/her/it’s enjoyment of the language and self expression.
And I knew it. Blogs are becoming the rage. It’s where all the action is headed. It’s all gonna be huge. Already the stupid pundits are starting their boring analyses. The wave is coming.
And I might be more inclined to read what the kicked back guy in his pajamas is saying, while he’s alone, feeling good, and enjoying himself, than some egomaniacal crisis driven, competetive mangler of the language trying to get attention in that phoney high powered world of REPORTING!
Hey, Winter:
You’ve echoed my thoughts word for word!! (except the part about the lingerie and chablis).
Would you give me permission to post that rant on my site (including the part about the lingerie and chablis)?
Just think of me as a temporary "syndicator" for my audience of half a dozen.
Thanks!!
Your post fits the nature of my site really well.
It will add much "colour", too.
Cheers!
re: #11: no problem on the colour. it’s a labour of louve.
Thanks again, Winter!
It’s now posted.
Newsclip Autopsy
MISTRUTH: New York Times Continues to Stereotype Bloggers
I can see it now.
All of the blogger websites will have to be hosted offshore. (Not that they won’t get creative with the laws to try to shut them up).
OR
All bloggers (with serious content) will have to print out a few magazine type copies of the weeks blogs, and throw them on the free rag piles.
Joe:
If the websites are hosted by foreigners, then I don’t think there would be anything they could do. It would be a bit of a pain in the arse for American bloggers, though.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this — although, maybe us Canadians can make a few bucks.
Dear Americans:
Don’t fear your government.
Post at my 100% Canadian owned and operated site and server for the cheapest rates around!
No limitations! Blog to your hearts content!!!
You guys and gals are great! Winter, Horkus – will you please send your comments of rebuttal to Messrs. Balkin, Glater and the NYT? They need feedback from the real world. Many thanks always.
There’s a second article in today’s Times business section of interest to us, albeit Brad isn’t quoted in it. The title is "White House Approves Pass for Blogger," by Katharine Q. Seelye. It makes for fascinating reading.
It seems the blogger in question was Garrett M. Graff, a former executive editor of the Harvard Crimson, whose father is with Associated Press and whose grandfather was a drama critic with the New York Herald Tribune. Graff said he was inspired to try for clearance by the Guckert/Gannon story.
Despite his journalism pedigree, Graff "…made 20 phone calls to the White House and got nowhere." Only after USA Today and CNN picked up the story did the White House relent and grant him a pass.
Jay Rosen, a journalism professor at New York University, said Graff’s experience showed it was harder to get a pass than the White House said it was after the Guckert case. In other words, the White House dissembled.
That is to say, they misled us.
O.K. They lied.
This just in. From this morning’s Wash Post, "Democrats to Launch An Online Talk Show, " by Brian Faler.
Basically dems may start an online talk show that will, "showcase the party’s message, lambaste Republicans and, they hope, open a new front in the ongoing media wars."
Faler quotes Dan Manatt (one of the producers according to Faler) as saying, "The primary focus is on politics, and, frankly, a heavy focus is on pointing out the foibles and scandals and dirty little secrets of Republicans that we think don’t receive as much coverage in the mainstream media as they might."
It is also reported that the program will include "blogger of the week."
That plan sounds pretty good. Hope they include a section on "reframing the issues."
Anyway, unfortunately, Faler goes on to report that "most" Americans say they are not familiar with blogs. He things it’s funny that this has been called "the year of the blog." Unfortunately, Falers analytic skills are a bit rusty. He says, and I quote, "…CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll, which found that nearly three-quarters of the public–74 percent–is "not too" or "not at all" familiear with the sites [blogs].
Sorry Faler, you never include the "not too’s" with the "nots". You separate them into "yes" and "no" by only including the "no’s" in the "no" column.
Winter Patriot #4 – You touched on one of my MAJOR buttons with that one. I HATE the stereotypes of bloggers and internet users! Just because I communicate through this venue means I’m some sloppy guy who doesn’t bother to get dressed? OH PLEASE!
Granted I don’t bother with make-up to sit here and type, and my hair’s just pulled back in a ponytail instead of nicely fixed, but I am ALWAYS fully dressed – most of the time I’m even wearing running shoes! If it’s morning, I’m drinking coffee or juice, evenings it’s either tea, icewater, or an occasional Merlot or mead – I don’t even LIKE beer! And to defeat the stereotypes I’ve encountered even FURTHER – I still get plenty of exercise EVERY DAY, I spend some days without even touching a keyboard, and if the weather is nice and there’s still daylight (and often even if there’s not), I have a MAJOR aversion to walls. And if the fish are biting….I am soooo out of here!
Sorry for the rant, stereotypes just irritate the hell out of me. It’s like assuming I’m dumb and fragile because I’m blonde and speak with a southern accent, or assuming I’m a religious fanatic and my kid has no social skills because we homeschool – GET REAL!!
*exhales* Okay, I feel better now. I will now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.
Joe #14 – You know, the part about printing out token weekly newsletters might work, especially if there’s no PAID subscription requirement if the laws take us to worse case scenario. I’m thinking freebies on stands, maybe like the local arts and entertainment mags I see at my favorite sandwich shop in the city…copies left in coffee shops….
It’s really not a bad idea!
Miss Persistent #18 – Nice catch on the "no" column, the way he framed it doesn’t sound like he’s exactly gung-ho on the idea, does it?
An online talk show? Is it just me or does that sound suspiciously like a chat room? I wonder what the difference will be?
Hi all,
Horkus #5, if the MSM stuck to reporting the news instead of creating it or slanting it to suit their *owners* position, blogs might not be so popular. Remember when reporters gave you the facts and then let you decide how to interpret it?
Winter: Canadian 101. We do not put an extra u in love!
RLM #17 – not only is it interesting to see what it took for a blogger to get a WH day pass, how much more interesting would it be to see him get one every day for two years!
Hey Kes! I wear my jammies and drink tea. But then I do most of my blogging in the morning. Kinda like taking your coffee and newspaper, ya know?
Hi Cheryl: Sarcasm 102. I was kidding Reaully!
I am a pretty Avid reader of Think Secret. Here is my take, not all bloggers are reporters, but their are many reporters that use their blogs as a publication, and their rights should be respected as such.. Think sret is clearly an online publication, and Nick spends as much time as journalists at major publications do before publishing his articles.
I think this suit is ridiculous, and I hope Apple loses this court case.
When one makes an underlying assumption that the MSM is the standard of journalism, and the analysis is founded on "who has to tell what about leaks", the whole world of journalism goes unnoticed.
Just the thing that gave rise to blogs in the first place. The news was going unnoticed.
The pablum of the MSM was not news enough … it was more like "words for your special comfort zone … and now a word from our sponser".
I mean one can pick a channel that fits their particular comfort zone needs. Fox was customized for the neocon, and PBS was customized for a broader perspective.
Blogs took it anywhere and everywhere and let it all hang out.
I wonder whether it has occurred to these blog pundits that bloggers are much LESS lazy than the average American consumer of MSM garbage. A blogger is actively engaged in connecting with, and commenting upon, a message, whether informational or editorial. And, as in the case of this blog, the administrator works much harder at his job than the average newspaper reporter.
Truth doesn’t have office hours, so finding her takes time, effort and ingenuity. (Brad, if you sometimes want to work in your PJs while drinking a beer, it’s all right with me!)
Cheryl #21 – Hey, you go girl! Comfort is the main thing! There’s actually a personal reason I get dressed when I first get up in the morning, a promise I made to myself, has to do with something that happened a long time ago but this isn’t the time or place *smiles* Long story.
Peg C #25 – Well put! And sooo true!!
Anybody else remember this Zappa tune? Every time I hear something else about MSM I think of this:
I am gross and perverted
I’m obsessed ‘n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
I may be vile and pernicious
But you can’t look away
I make you think I’m delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin’ out
From your TV set
You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don’t need you
Don’t go for help…no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold
That’s right, folks.. Don’t touch that dial
Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozin’ along on your livingroom floor
I am the slime from your video
Can’t stop the slime, people, lookit me go
("The Slime", Frank Zappa)
Ooooh, Kes! PERFECT!!
OK … everybody now, with feelin’ … and three-part harmony:
I am the slime from your video
Oozin’ along on your livingroom floor
I am the slime from your video
Can’t stop the slime, people, lookit me go
Winter P – Are we coordinated or what?!
While we’re on the topic…
David Sylvian wrote a wonderful song called "Television" which was featured on Japan’s first album… Here are the last two and a half verses. Sorry for the profanity, but he’s a much better poet than I am, and I’m not about to edit him…
You can read the whole thing here (at the bottom of the page).
For those who have not read it, Raw Story has an interesting piece on a blogger who is now in the white house press and who has an interesting approach toward the Gannon story (link here)
He has our kind of questions about Gannon.
Peg C:
Great point!!!
Blogging should be encouraged. Active participation in journalism by the public can only help the msm get at the truth, if they choose to embrace this revolution.
But, alas, it seems that truth is not the goal of the American msm anymore.
The cute "PJ" jibe made by so many in the msm really is an unprofessional cheap shot. Any journalist that uses it should be confronted and asked how he/she thinks pajamas become proverbial kryptonite to the thinking process.
re #9: yeah, sure! go ahead! post anything of mine that you like. It would be an "honour".
P.S. I put that extraneous "u" in because you told us you were Canadian. 😉
The White House blogger was issued a real bona-fide press pass (link here).
This should help the cause of blogging … if I were the EFF I would get this info to the judge in the California case …
oops … posted in wrong thread … the part about the EFF …
As I said, I threw my set out 35 years ago, and I still feel relieved.
Peg C #25…
The lack of laziness is definitely a big factor. And the lack of commercial interruptions, so thought can be completed. People have no idea how unhealthy that constant coituslike interruptus is. Horrible treatment of the senses.
The bloggers are so anxious to learn and to have knowledge and unique additions to the threads. We are automatically becoming better informed. And we are using our own initiative to gather information rather than being spoon fed by the same people all the time.When people sit at their keyboards, dressed or undressed in any fashion they desire, they are free from the constraints of superficial image making, and the word is paramount.
Stop_George #33,
Actually the PJ’s might have an influence. Say you were wearing ones covered with little dragons. And you were empowered to write fiery comments. Or if you had little bunnies or hearts, you might be sweet and kind. Rainbows would encourage optimism, and monkeys would stimulate thoughts of certain so called leaders.
Being naked, weather permitting, might lead to stark revelation.
I think these poor fools are envious of our freedom and enjoyment. We’re not up some corporatation’s ass looking for a dollar bill.
‘Corporation’
Agreed wholeheartedly Teresa – methinks there’s a bit of pj envy going on here.
Hurling the kids into daycare, ramming your way through traffic to work, playing all day at being a "yes" man/woman (that’s gotta hurt), and then doing the same in reverse on the way home, and talking up these "feats" with friends…just can’t be good for the soul.
I work all day, am a single mom, live 10 minutes from work (on a bad day) , and I’ve chosen the "slow" ladder because my son, realism, and truth are topmost – in any environment.
Amen, Miss P. You are a Sister. I’m climbing that "slow" ladder, too. ‘member that guy Jacob?
Good day for bloggers. The AP carried the story of the new blogger in the White House Brief room, and outs Gannon (link here).
Hi Teresa!
My jammies have little penguins on them. What does that mean?
Cheryl #42 –
You take to cold weather well, Global Warming is threatening your habitat, you’re cute and have a social conscience, and your greatest natural enemy is the leopard seal (guess who must have that on HIS jammies).
I sleep in plain sweatsuits, like the Accidental Tourist. Does that mean my mind’s a blank?
Hi Cheryl and Peg C!!
And the penguins mean you have class. They are all dressed up and soooo well behaved. Aaaaand….you see things clearly in black and white! Also, there is a gender shake-up there. I believe male penguins sit on the eggs.
Peg C, I love the Accidental Tourist.
Plain sweatsuits mean that you are an honest, down to earth, down home person. But in your case, it doesn’t fit the mind. Your verbiage is anything but blank and plain.
Hello yourself, Teresa #45!
Thanks. But right now I’m sitting here, in the dark, in mismatched pink and purple and wondering whether color clashes in evening attire might be signals of impending incoherence. I guess I need to do some laundry!
All my clothes are plain and blank — if that helps anyone to understand me better, by all means use it!
You guys! LOL!…impending incoherence!
Mismatched crazy colors….. creative spirit.
Fortunately, in the evening light, color clashes can actually appear flattering.
Winter P., you certainly piqued our imaginations on this one. Thanks. Plain and blank? you probably don’t give a #$%* about what you’re wearing. Or could you be a little shy?????…or maybe just practical.
I think we should send this thread to that Jack Balkin guy from the NYT article. He started this.
Our review.
And he did say,"In 15 years, there may be no clear distinction between reporters on the one hand and bloggers on the other."
Okay, truth be known, I don’t type in pajamas because I don’t own any, except for the really fancy set my grandmother gave me many years ago, and they have never been worn.
And I can’t sit out here and type the same way I sleep cause I have a 12 year old that’s easily embarrassed..and because it’s freakin COLD out here in the office/rec room/thingie!
My fashion sense is based on whatever doesn’t itch. I confess – I have a HUGE collection of t-shirts, with all kindsa stuff on the front. Today I’m wearing Taz, Wile E. Coyote, and Bugs Bunny – does that mean I’m immature?
😛
Okay, enough of that. Someday when we have an open thread and everybody’s bored, remind me to tell y’all the story of my "enlightening" encounter with an "interesting" fed-ex delivery guy when I was wearing my "The truth is out there" t-shirt.
I love all the comments here! Go Brad! Go Winter! Go, all the rest of ya’ll! Or is it yau’ll? 🙂
The worst part of the corporate world is all the political c*ap you have to put up, from being forced to work on useless projects, to pointless meetings, to having to kiss up to stupid managers (I’m not saying all managers are stupid, btw) to towing the "party" line.
Bloggers don’t have to deal with all that which IMO makes them more effective and able to get at the truth. Freedom and all that…
Have a good day-eh!
Trying to be southern and Canadian all in one post,
Hannah
Kestrel, by any chance are you the gal who sends me unsolicited porno messages with titles like "Waiting for You, Stud?"
I usually erase them immediately. But if one arrives with either "Kestrel" or "Bright Eyes" in the header, I’ll be in touch. What’s the nearest airport to you in Tennessee?
Trying my own analysis skills here…
Peg C #46 – Pink and purple are the colors of passion. And as Teresa said, they can look flattering together in evening light. My rose garden is done in pinks and purples, with whites in the foreground to catch the moonlight. Want to come sit in my garden?
Winter Patriot #47 – Plain and blank – you prefer to deal with people in a straightforward, no-nonsense way – forget protocol, you don’t have a thin skin, just want people to be direct and honest and make their point, and you give the same in return. Close?
And yeah, as Teresa said in #48 – a little shy? A preference for not attracting too much attention?
Robert Lockwood Mills #52 – Sorry dood, afraid that isn’t me, maybe you somehow got on Jeff Gannon’s list? Tell him to say hi to Karl *L*
(Oh I am sooo goin to hell for that one!)
KestrelBrighteyes #54 –
If hell is populated by people like the folks right here, I’d say that came pretty close to my definition of heaven!
And boy, do I want to hear about your True Encounter with the man from Fed-Ex!