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2 comments | 9 hours ago
CBS Just Can't Get Along with Bloggers?
By Jason Lee Miller - Mon, 09/17/2007 - 13:36
It was bloggers who forced CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather into early retirement, and yet CBS – at least somebody there – is still being condescending towards the new media.
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| How CBS Blew Up My Puff Piece |
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In short, we didn't have a dog in this fight, and your humble author who, just like Ferris Bueller doesn't believe in isms, would tell you he is neither Right nor Left, but maybe, if he had to label himself, is a John Stuart Mill Utilitarianist with Thomas Paine Libertarian tendencies and a slightly Aristotelian disdain for the unwashed masses* (so maybe you shouldn't ask).
Regardless, WebProNews becomes involved because someone at CBS allegedly (a CBS spokeswoman was quite adamant about the "allegedly" part) insulted viewers who complained about Couric's "softball" reporting from Iraq and mocked them for getting their information from blogs.
Oh, and Katie Couric's publicist threatened to sue us, which also gets us involved in a much bigger way, and makes this story, much, much more newsworthy, but we'll get to that later.
The story begins this way:
MoveOn.org posted a scathing video on YouTube accusing Couric of not doing her job as a journalist and just parroting government talking points, and encouraged MoveOn members to email CBS to complain.
One such member, Errol Siegel of Austin Texas, heeded the call and emailed CBS Evening News on Monday, September 10, at 11:42 a.m, CST. He wrote:
I started watching Couric's series of reports hoping to learn something valuable.. All I learned was that CBS is content to produce puff pieces scripted by the institutions it purports to be investigating.
I did not hear Couric push for real answers on one single issue! She simply took everything she was told and parrotted it back to the masses.
I'm embarassed and saddened. You should be too.
A reply to the email appearing to be from CBS Evening News, with the address Evening@cbsnews.com, arrived just 23 minutes later reading:
Actually most intelligent people were very impressed by the quality of our reports from Iraq and Syria …Apparently you missed most of the interviews that were done over there…imagine you got your information from a blog somewhere…
Siegel tells WebProNews, "I have spent years writing letters, sending e-mails, and making phone calls. This is the first time I have been personally insulted by a major news organization."
At CrooksAndLiars.com, a commentator named Dominic Lucarelli recounts a similar response to his complaint:
Sorry you didn’t get a chance to see much of the reporting from Iraq….if you had, you wouldn’t have written such a note…imagine all your info came from a blog…too bad.
"Not TOO condescending, eh?" remarks Lucarelli.
This is all very interesting to me, only because of the irony. It wasn't too long ago that Dan Rather was shamed off the airwaves by the very medium CBS News is allegedly disparaging. This is the same medium that even the New York Times has credited as a viable news source, as bloggers are often first on the scene at major news events; Hurricane Katrina comes to mind.
It was also interesting to me that the once "liberal media" was now being accused of being a government mouthpiece, but I was more interested in confirming whether or not a representative of CBS made those remarks, and if I could talk to Katie to get her reaction to the accusations, to talk about the new media and how the established media is handling it.
When asked about the comments in the email, CBS Evening News Communications Manager Jennifer Farley (Couric's publicist) said, "It's very easy to make it look like it came from us," and would not confirm that the email came from CBS News, despite the email address.
I understood the comment, "It's very easy to make it look like it came from us," as well as other comments she made as a denial that CBS sent the email, and so, out of professional courtesy, not out of any type of journalistic requirement, I contacted Ms. Farley the next day (before I wrote the 300-word ironic puff-piece) to confirm CBS's position.
I did it politely, because I'm from the South, thanked her for her time and wished her a nice day. My understanding: CBS denies sending the email, cannot confirm that it came from there.
A few minutes later, Ms. Farley, by telephone, insists that everything that was said yesterday was off the record, that CBS didn't even have a "no comment" because there was nothing to comment on, and if I printed that I could expect to hear from CBS's legal department. Very suddenly, then, she has turned my puff piece into a major story about a major network trying to bully a Web-publication with the threat of a SLAPP suit. And I am stunned by how she has transformed something routine into something newsworthy.
I'm also aware (because she told me) that Ms. Farley graduated top of her class from Columbia Journalism School, and was quite willing to let me know how much I had to learn about journalism, but she should be at least vaguely familiar with the First Amendment, and that a source can't just give information and say it's "off the record" with any type of viable legal grounds. It's a professional courtesy, not a legal mandate, and that courtesy sort of flies out the window when lawsuits are threatened.
But enough about me and Ms. Farley. Let's get back to the email.
MoveOn traced the IP address of the email addressed from Evening@cbsnews.com, the one that would be very easy to make look like came from CBS to 170.20.0.80, which resolves to a mail server at CBS Inc., 524 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.
Adam Green, Civics Communications Director for MoveOn.org, says, "It's a real problem when big media corporations like CBS refuse to ask tough questions challenging President Bush's lies about Iraq, yet feel fine threatening little-guy online news sites for daring to hold CBS accountable."
Yeah, well, we're not that little. We can hold our own. And though the New York Times mistakenly called me a blogger, I didn’t take any offense, just appreciated the name drop, and that at least some part of the established media recognizes the power of citizen journalism, and that the new media has the right – and ability – to stand up to the old media.
*Warning: Philosophical joke. It's hard to be at once humble and Aristotelian; this is in no way a swipe at the poor or the homeless, but meant only as a way of expressing a distrust of mob rule, and therefore a preference for representative democracy rather than direct democracy.
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114 Comments
THE HEADLINE WAS "OUR JAIL IS OVERCROWDED".
FAKE NUMBERS WERE USED TO TO GET VOTERS TO APPROVE A NEW JAIL FACILITY BEING PROPOSED BY OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THE DISCREPANCY WAS IN THE NUMBER OF BEDS BEING REPORTED IN THE PAPER AND THE REAL NUMBER OF BEDS REPORTED BY THE POLICE AND SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION.
I WROTE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR QUESTIONING THE ACCURACY OF THE REPORTING.
I QUESTIONED THE REPORTING OF 4 DIFFERENT NUMBERS FOR TOTAL JAIL BEDS, ALL WERE LESS THAN THE REAL NUMBER.
NONE OF THEIR NUMBERS MATCHED THE REAL NUMBER.
THE EDITOR CALLED ME TO SAY THEY WOULD NOT PUBLISH MY EDITORIAL.
WHEN I ASKED WHY, I WAS TOLD MY COMMENTS WERE INFLAMATORY.
WHEN I ASKED WHY THEIR NUMBERS DID NOT MATCH THE REAL NUMBERS.
I WAS TOLD "THE PAPER IS ONLY ALLOWED TO PUBLISH WHAT THE GOVERNMENT TELLS THEM TO PUBLISH".
THE MEDIA IS BIASED, EVEN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. BUT MAYBE THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.
Dont mess with the bloggers!
Dont mess with the bloggers!
I love how much power
I love how much power blogging has
true that!
true that!
Poor debate skills
I've had some sarcastic,
I've had some sarcastic, defensive replies from news organizations. Once in awhile I object to their coverage of certain health issues that have affected my family. Apparently, it is "immature" to question how the media does its job. By the way, I was quite polite when I emailed the publication whose employee called me that, if a little tough on their reportage.
It's amazing that the people
It's amazing that the people who have the most to say/blog about Iraq are those who've never set foot there.
CEO bonuses & impact to the consumers -
Since July of 2006, I have contacted the PSC, the FCC and every congressman and senator in the former Bellsouth 9-state region, and not any of these agencies or individuals, who are supposed to be protecting American's best interests, have expressed the least amount of concern over what corporate greed is doing to AT&T customers. Perhaps AT&T has contributed to far too many political campaigns for anyone to want to take them to task - even the reps from Hawaii & Michigan who made so much noise over the merger appears to have been for attention getting purposes only Both AT&T & Bellsouth CEO's retired with astronomical bonuses - and at whose expense? The consumers. AT&T - Bellsouth customer service reps all have sales objectives, as a result their employees resort to a variety of tactics to meet their quotas. Therefore, many AT&T customers are paying for products and services they did not order, or do not need, and all AT&T cusomers need to be advised to read their bills!!!!!!
CBS attacking bloggers and other commentators
I was stunned to read CBS's reaction to the piece. If the IP address resolves to their headquarters, then I believe U.S. law holds you innocent of any libel.
But I guess no one should be surprised. Just consider the hoopla some years back when CNN went with a story claiming the U.S. had tracked down and executed deserters and others in Laos during the Vietnam War. I live in Bangkok (though I'n from the U.S.), and I happened to be sitting in a restaurant with a retired CIA guy who had been one of the top commanders during the secret war in Laos, and he hotly denied the allegations. As you know, the network was eventually forced to withdraw the story.
And CNN is hardly alone is such misreporting.
The issue of citizen journalists is indded a tough one. It's just plain too easy for someone with an axe to grind to wrongly smear someone, given the power of the Internet. That's why I have no problem posting comments on any site that says a reviewer will check my posting before allowing it to appear; that's no different from a paper publication's editorial staff reviewing letters to the editor before publishing them.
On the other hadn, such editorial control can stifle public input, and that, too, shouldn't happen.
I happen to own and run a website about Bangkok in particular. I write a weekly (usually) column in which I do comment on other things, including editorial observations about some news story and what not. Thailand has rather draconian libel and slander laws, under which one can attract not only civil but also criminal charges -- even for merely quoting someone else's story that itself is found to be libelous or slanderous. Yet I've never had a second's trouble from anyone else, even when I've been highly critical. Even with a military government I've had no problems, though I have cited published stories critical of the current government here.
I would support you 100% were you to bite back at CBS -- hard.
Kurt T. Francis
Bangkok, Thailand
CBS, Katie and the blogger
Just a quick note. Katie is trying to hold on to what ratings she can and is obviously not going to alienate anyone if she can help it. A few mornings before, Meredith Viera on Today was interviewing a controversial figure and did much the same...no pressing questions, just a bland question and nod in agreement.
On the other hand, it has become all to easy to accept everything written or mentioned on blog spots as the "truth" when in fact, most of it is conjecture, rumor and wishful thinking, e.g. the "conspiracy" theories, etc. The great issue we are facing now is how to compare and contrast all the various news sources and blog information to arrive at something resembling fact. Most of the blogs I have read, both "left" and "right" represent more innuendo than fact, though it is presented as such.
If you want to know more about what is really going on in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other sites of the Jihad war, you should find sources that know what they are talking about and have no "dog in the fight". One I can think of specifically is Stratfor. Their geopolitical reports and terrorism reports are about as accurate as you can get. Unfortunately, though congressional members have access to their information, most of them had rather listen to their "handlers" or bloggers.
A Sad time altogether in the news/information game.
CBS - Alittle Too Proud
I believe CBS is a very reputable news organization, BUT, I also beleive they are high on themselves to think that they are only reliable news source. I am not worried about what people may think of this statement, but even though there is a percentage of gossip in all blogging, there is a great amount of truth in blogging too. Checking out bloggers is the same as talking to witnesses at a crime scene. And to send negative feedback to a blogger, is the same as talking chit to your american viewers. Thus, the comment that CBS made to the guy who submitted that email reflects on what they think of thier viewers, i.e. that we are not smart enough to figure out the facts on our own unless it comes from them. A news media should be mindful of ALL news resources, INCLUDING blogging, as with any news broadcasting companies responsibilities, it is their job to sort out the facts, from fantasy and report it. Not disrespect any source of outlet where information can be gathered.
Blog United
WebProNews is the best journalism around! Thanks for your insight. I always look forward to your Newsletters.
Sharon Solesbee AAS, AS
Journalists
The idea of journalists parroting scripted political news or worldwide news is not new this has been going on for years. It's just until recently that via the internet and blogs that we the people have been able to make a large impact with what we have to say regarding our social and political views that the networks, who base themselves on viewer rankings (which is why I rarely watch syndicated news)are starting to listen. Thank god for the internet! We finally have a voice and bring true meaning to "WE The People" once again. Want to know what's really going on? Go to International News sites online and get a broader if not real picture of what's going on in the world.
Bloggers
I believe the Bloggers will force Move on.org to start telling the truth and not just cast insinuations. The money behind this organization is huge and if we let it, it will take the United States of America down with it. Look at the division moveon.org has caused in the country already.
crooks
all the news media are owned by the greedy crooked bastards we the people know that they are all crooks like the crooked bastards running america
bloggerS
either CBS can't get along with bloggers or bloggers don't like CBS, the mere fact is that they have been always interrelated into the business world..it's the overall reality.
Free Speech
.
Sometimes those threats come in the form of a lawsuit.
When the new media holds a local political party's feet to the fire:
SLAPP !
Ouch !
http://hamiltoncountyrepublicanparty.com
'Free Speech" !
Ouch !
Slap Back !
Feel free to cite the case when in need !
.
bloggers
well blogger is a good source to get your words out there but i really find it hard to believe that bloggers who forced CBS evening news anchorr Dan Rather into early retirement.
Aslam
http://www.diabeticcorner.com
CBS katie and the Bloggers
Holy Shit!
Al Gore has addressed the
Al Gore has addressed the problemm of the way information is presented to us in his book "Assault on Reason". Television news is a one-way infoormation source. A talking head can say whatever they want and there is no recourse to challenge their claims. For instance, if a news agency stated that drinking Coke would cause your liver to explode, the average citizen has no opportunity to challenge it. These "reporters" are never challenged on their statements because of the one-way flow.
Fred Thompson refused to debate Michael Moore on the issues of health care because he knew he would not survive the engagement. Instead, he and his staff created a snide little piece mocking Moore' assertions, and avoided the risk of a serious debate that would demonstrate Thomson's ignorance.
Basically, Democracy depends on the free exchange of information and open debate on the issues. The mainstream media have eliminated these pracyices inf favor of telling viewers what they want you to hear, and avoiding the possibility of open and honest debate. Fascism.
Bloggers and Mainstream News Media
Thank God for bloggers who question the media and offer alternative perspectives. Isn't this what democracy is all about??? If any form of media can't address a question without threat of a lawsuit because it's not what they want to hear, they should move to Russia or Iran. The internet is our only chance of maintaining democracy.
CBS can't get along with bloggers/Ecitors note
Were you laughing when you wrote this paragraph?
{Editor's Note: We can agree that blogs can sometimes be inaccurate, and that bloggers are not held to the same standards as the mainstream press. However, there is also a power shift occurring as citizen journalists are granted the means to hold the mainstream press accountable.}
I think you must've been! That part where you say that bloggers aren't held to the same standard as the mainstream press had me rolling! I didn't know that the mainstream press has standards! journalism by it's very definition is the unbiased reporting of events. The key word being unbiased!
Most so called journalists apparently don't know the meaning of unbiased. Practically every story in the news is slanted one way or the other and it serves as news with no challenge from their peers.
On the other hand, a blogger simply reports how he/she feels on a particular subject based on information they already have.
But the difference here is they are subject to the responses and opinions of their peers. So it would be much easier to sort out the truth with a blogger, than it would be with a journalist. So in that sense they are held accountable.
The only reason CBS is upset is that they had a monopoly on the disemination of information before bloggers and the internet came along. Now they find themselves in the uneviable position of having a public forum to compete against.
Personally, I would rather get my news from the internet!
who me?
I was laughing when I wrote the political philosophy part, a joke that nobody got...but as for that part...well, perhaps I should weep a little...I just meant, that traditionally journalists are formally trained and have studied journalism, and write in a specific format and there is a certain "ideal" of how it is to be carried out...not that the ideal is ever really matched...and if journalists step over their bounds too much, go completely over the professional line, there are often consequences
bloggers aren't held as accountable as often, but they are starting to be...they're starting to be dragged into court for what they say and many of them are losing because they don't know where the lines are...citizen journalism is powerful, use it with care
An old journalism teacher of mine, a veteran journalist (when I say "veteran," I mean he reported from the front lines in Nam) told me "There's no such thing as objectivity. Objectivity is a myth. From the moment a reporter starts typing he is biasing the subject by choosing the order in which he presents the information, the words he chooses to relay the message, and what he chooses to omit."
Can't confirm that quote exactly, but that's the gist.
No such thing as objectivity?
No offense but you're journalism teacher is part of the problem.
It was just yesterday that I heard a cop on the radio say "Guilty until proven innocent"? "That's for jury's and courts, we (cops) don't believe in innocent until proven guilty".
It's that kind of thinking that is the reason our justice system is in turmoil. So for a jounalism teacher to say there is no such thing as objectivity, is like saying that it's ok to report your opinion. And that's why the mainstream press is in turmoil!
Reporting objectively means to only inject the evidence into the story, not what you think is evidence. But the hard part of that is the journalist then has to go get evidence for both sides of the story.
That's the problem with the press these days. They want to sensationalize their story so they interject bias instead of objectivity (facts from both sides).
And when the truth is finally sorted out, and their story differs, then that journalist is discredited and audiences starts to complain.
The art of good journalism is to report the facts in an interesting way. But these days facts get lost in trying to be more sensational than the competition.
That is why blogging has become so popular. These are just regular people who don't have anything to gain by writing a story about something they've heard or seen. And somewhere in all of the responses is the truth. But the fact is that at least here, the truth can be found!
well...
there was more to that lecture...he wasn't saying don't try to be objective, only that true objectivity as a concept, like say, altruism, doesn't really exist...it's an interesting stance...he never said just be biased, he just warned that no matter how objective you tried to be, somebody would think you were slanted, and in a sense, you were
I tend to agree...everything is subjective, there is only perception
it would be almost funny if...
Hi Jason,
It would be almost humorous that CBS so blatantly disses the blogger (and web media in general) community if they didn't still have so much influence over the level of political dialog in this country. They are becoming less and less relevant every day as people get their real news elsewhere.
Thanks for your work! Webpronews is one of the only newsletters I still read. I'm too busy surfing the blogs of course...
david
BitWorks Music - odd tunes for odd times
CBS attempt to defend
What a breath of fresh air! Bloggers, expressing their opinions, have legitimized what "journalists" have been doing for years. Now what is supposed to be the expertise that makes journalism so sacred?
Just a few years back, the liberal media had a monopoly on news, and now with the advent of the internet and talk radio, they have been steadily losing viewers, and they are fit to be tied. Not surprising that some gopher at CBS would become incensed and make a quick response....then deny it!
As to Katie Couric, it was a measure of desperation that CBS even hired this soap queen, who incidentally was never "ordained" as a journalist and merely popular with the touchy feely women's morning soap opera.
And to further illustrate the anguish now suffered by liberal "news," who would ever imagine that CBS would ever have a disagreement with Move On.Org?
Blogging is the new form of town meeting halls and only leads to more democracy....keep up the good work, fellas!
Encouraging
It is encouraging to think the traditional voices are having a chance. I'm tired of the "main stream" media tainting the news with their opinions. Editorials are OK but in news reporting the reporter should keep his or her opinions secret. I'm tired of the media telling me what to think about events! Your article is encouraging.
By the way, I have maximum spam blocking on this email address.
Can you Blame them?
Can you really blame CBS for attacking the new Media?
Traditional journalism (There is another "ism") has become big business. Rather then competing based on the quality of their reporting it seems that they compete based on the shock values of their stories.
So called "bloggers" provide a great service to fill in where the big networks fear to go. I personally read about 2 "blogs" to every traditional article.
Keep up the good fight Jason!
Bloggers
As one of the Nuts who saved Jericho and being a blogger about Jericho I can say that CBS is certainly not embracing one of their best assets. We Jericho bloggers are on CBS' side but you'd never know it. Instead of being condescending towards us they should see us as a marketing asset and work in partnership with us to promote any of their shows. Maybe they're still mad about Dan Rather.
Great question. Thanks.
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