As we continue debating media access for bloggers, an ironic twist has come into play. Mark Cuban, a blogger himself, banned a blogger from the Maverick's locker room for having too much media credibility! Now there is a first!Tim MacMahon, who writes a blog for the Dallas Morning News was denied entry to the Maverick's locker room over the weekend because of a new policy refusing access to writers whose "primary purpose is to blog."
On his blog today, Cuban says he's not coming down on the citizen journalist. He's calling out traditional media who send in bloggers, instead of feature writers, to get a jump on media companies that don't blog.
"What I didn't like was that the Dallas Morning News was getting a competitive advantage simply because they were the Dallas Morning News. Some out there will take this as my not 'liking' blogs. Ridiculous. its the exact opposite. What I don't like is unequal access. I'm all for bloggers getting the same access as mainstream media when possible. What I'm not a fan of is major media companies throwing their weight around thinking they should be treated differently."
The Dallas Morning News, however, claims this new ban is aimed at MacMahon, whom the paper says was asked to leave the locker room on February 29th after posting a piece that was critical of coach Avery Johnson. MacMahon has been blogging about the Mavericks for the Morning News since 2006.
Banned For Too Much Journalistic Credibility
Usually organizations ban bloggers for not having enough traditional media cred. But denying a major-media-backed blogger just because the Dallas Morning News could publish a story first? Well, that would be like telling TV networks they can't cover an event because they'd scoop print reporters. Or denying CNN an interview because 24/7 broadcasting gives them an unfair advantage over the networks!
Technology changes the game. Always has. Always will. Those who play smart, win. Certainly Mark Cuban, the man who created Broadcast.com, understands this. And, considering that bloggers have been beating traditional media to the punch for years now. Perhaps turnabout should be fair play here.
-- my two cents
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2 comments:
In Washington, D.C., I was the first independent blogger that the Washington Capitals granted a press pass to during the 2005-06 NHL season. In the wake of my experience with the Capitals, the owner of the team, Ted Leonsis, asked me to help the organization create a "bloggers bill of rights" that outlined how bloggers and professional sports franchises can work together.
Since then, more than a dozen other bloggers now regularly visit the press box, and I've increased my staff to include a rotating group of three photographers who have been shooting games since the middle of last season. Through it all, many of the folks covering the team in the local blogosphere have been openly critical of the play of the team and many of the decisions that the organization has made. And yet, not one of the bloggers I know has been asked to give up a pass or forfeit the same kind of access that the rest of the MSM covering the team enjoys.
This evident success of this program is a tribute to the foresight of Washington's owner, Ted Leonsis, and his staff. To this day, I'm stunned that more organizations haven't followed the model the Caps established.
I'd suggest folks read Cuban's explanation of his decision for themselves and draw their own conclusions. As for me, it seemed pretty clear he was tying himself in logical knots to justify a decision that had no logical justification -- especially coming from an executive with such a solid personal reputation as a Web 2.0 practitioner. In short, somebody got him angry and they got their credential pulled. In the long run, it's going to come back and bite him, and hard. Here's hoping that he reads Leonsis' take on the matter, the link to which I've included below.
Links:
http://www.ericmcerlain.com/offwingopinion/archives/006593.php#006593
http://ted.aol.com/index.php?ID=1997
http://offwingphoto.com
Clarification added 15 hours ago:
I should probably add that I've also experienced some very good success with DC United, the local MLS club, as well as with the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, the local stop on the men's ATP tour. In general, MLS has been very progressive when it comes to dealing with new media outlets, something which led to my obtaining a credential for MLS Cup 2007 and being able to cast a vote for the match's MVP.
In addition, this Summer, we've also been granted credentials for both press and photography for Washington Kastles team tennis and Washington Bayhawks lacrosse.
Eric
Jennifer,
I feel there is no credibility in mainstream media to begin with. Also, anytime I have had first hand personal knowledge of an event or story, the newspaper never comes close to getting it right.
Perhaps bloggers have not been conditioned and groomed by Liberal colleges and trained to view the world in that manner and use their story telling to shape public opinion instead of simply telling a story. I'd say I almost have less respect for reporters and journalists than I do for some attorneys.
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