Comments on: 44% of newspapers wouldn’t allow staff writers to blog during free time without prior approval http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:39:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: CJ http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73601 CJ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:27:05 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73601 Tom Johnson: "A reporter can’t serve two masters — writing liberal blog posts at night but supposedly maintaining an objective, non-partisan view for articles he or she writes during the day." Ah, but that's the real issue here. Becaue they can. Will Bunch, the Philadelphia Daily News political reporter/liberal blogger: Will Bunch – Reporter http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/19519639.html Will Bunch – Same Topic, Liberal Blogger http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/19506259.html You may have to check out his other posts to get the fully, hearty liberal flavor. It's good blog, and standard liberal. Tom Johnson:
“A reporter can’t serve two masters — writing liberal blog posts at night but supposedly maintaining an objective, non-partisan view for articles he or she writes during the day.”

Ah, but that’s the real issue here. Becaue they can. Will Bunch, the Philadelphia Daily News political reporter/liberal blogger:

Will Bunch – Reporter
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/19519639.html

Will Bunch – Same Topic, Liberal Blogger
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/19506259.html

You may have to check out his other posts to get the fully, hearty liberal flavor. It’s good blog, and standard liberal.

]]> By: Tom Johnson http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73595 Tom Johnson Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:59:04 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73595 Simon, What a cool survey. I think much of the issue lies with the profession. In journalism, the reputation for credibility and objectivity for reporting plays a large role. A reporter can't serve two masters -- writing liberal blog posts at night but supposedly maintaining an objective, non-partisan view for articles he or she writes during the day. Luckily in my profession (technical writing), there are almost no politics involved and blogging about topics in technical writing only furthers the perception of professional development. Simon,

What a cool survey. I think much of the issue lies with the profession. In journalism, the reputation for credibility and objectivity for reporting plays a large role. A reporter can’t serve two masters — writing liberal blog posts at night but supposedly maintaining an objective, non-partisan view for articles he or she writes during the day.

Luckily in my profession (technical writing), there are almost no politics involved and blogging about topics in technical writing only furthers the perception of professional development.

]]> By: CJ http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73574 CJ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:17:37 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73574 I don’t think this is as complicated as people make it seem. Don’t blog about things you cover, or any politics at all. In fact, don’t blog about anything your newspaper directly covers. Period. That leaves about only 1.2 million other subjects you can write about. And moderate your comments section if your day job is writing for a mainstream news outlet. Just because. I don’t think this is as complicated as people make it seem.

Don’t blog about things you cover, or any politics at all. In fact, don’t blog about anything your newspaper directly covers. Period. That leaves about only 1.2 million other subjects you can write about.

And moderate your comments section if your day job is writing for a mainstream news outlet. Just because.

]]> By: Iceberg Lettuce http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73538 Iceberg Lettuce Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:53:33 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73538 Well, that is a small sample population (39 newspapers). I mean it is quite a different story if NYT or the WaPo had a ban versus say the Stanly News & Press or the Gaston Gazette. But I thought it was interesting. A newspaper, whose life's blood is freedom of the press and free speech; banning employees from writing in a blog on their own. I wonder do they also have a problem with them writing an essay and publishing it in print? I believe that distinction shows an overall misunderstanding of the medium (internet/blog) and probably something pretty telling about why print is taking such a beating these days in sales. Well, that is a small sample population (39 newspapers). I mean it is quite a different story if NYT or the WaPo had a ban versus say the Stanly News & Press or the Gaston Gazette. But I thought it was interesting. A newspaper, whose life’s blood is freedom of the press and free speech; banning employees from writing in a blog on their own. I wonder do they also have a problem with them writing an essay and publishing it in print? I believe that distinction shows an overall misunderstanding of the medium (internet/blog) and probably something pretty telling about why print is taking such a beating these days in sales.

]]> By: Angelo Fernando http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73502 Angelo Fernando Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:49:38 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73502 This is symptomatic of a problem larger problem in many organizations, not just the news business --the lack of trust. The 'pandora's box' argument reveals the double standard of those who are used to being in control. Could you disclose the names of the newspapers surveyed? This is symptomatic of a problem larger problem in many organizations, not just the news business –the lack of trust. The ‘pandora’s box’ argument reveals the double standard of those who are used to being in control.

Could you disclose the names of the newspapers surveyed?

]]> By: newscoma http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73424 newscoma Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:57:04 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73424 I actually encourage my writers to have open blogs and private journals I'm not privy too. I think it sharpens their skills and allows them the freedom to vent not only about the changes in media, but have a place to vent. I realize I'm in the majority. I actually encourage my writers to have open blogs and private journals I’m not privy too.
I think it sharpens their skills and allows them the freedom to vent not only about the changes in media, but have a place to vent.
I realize I’m in the majority.

]]> By: Joel Sanderson http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval/comment-page-1#comment-73315 Joel Sanderson Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:20:17 +0000 http://bloggasm.com/44-of-newspapers-wouldnt-allow-staff-writers-to-blog-during-free-time-without-prior-approval#comment-73315 It's tough, but I honestly wasn't surprised. That's not a good sign. I am curious if there was a difference in how different sizes of paper responded differently. It’s tough, but I honestly wasn’t surprised. That’s not a good sign. I am curious if there was a difference in how different sizes of paper responded differently.

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