Monthly Archives: June 2008
What They’re Saying, June 27, 2008
Here is what some of the sports media columnists are writing about today…
David Barron at the Houston Chronicle has the story on a new radio voice for the Houston Rockets. He also has the story on the Red Sox visit to play the Astros and the return to Houston by former Red Sox radio voice Jerry Trupiano.
Mel Bracht at the Oklahoman has word on the return in the Rangers’ radio booth of Tom Grieve, sidelined after dealing with prostate cancer. Here’s Bracht’s Q&A with Grieve.
Neil Best at Newsday has the story of the NY Giants’ decision to sell personal seat licenses in their new stadium.
Richard Sandomir at the NY Times also chimes in on the story…
The NY Daily News‘ Bob Raissman uses his column to talk about SNY analyst Ron Darling covering the team this Sunday over at TBS.
Phil Mushnick at the NY Post takes a shot at what is being said at Gotham’s sports radio stations.. Justin Terranova takes a look at the latest edition of Mets/Yankees.
Tim Lemke at the Washington Times takes to the tennis court.
Jay Posner at the San Diego Union Tribune says local sports radio are being extremely critical of the play of the Padres of late.
Teddy Greenstien at the Chicago Tribune resurrects the Marty Bennaman comments about Cubs fans as the Reds come to town.
Ray Frager at the Baltimore Sun has his weekly media notes column.
George Thomas at the Akron Beacon Journal has reaction to the Comcast/Big Ten Network deal.
John Maffei at the North County Times comments on the possible collaboration between ESPN and the NFL Network.
Tom Hoffarth at the LA Daily News has more on the technical glitch to Wednesday’s Euro 2008 match. Here’s more notes from Hoffarth’s blog
Scott Pierce at the Salt Lake City Desert News also talks Euro 2008.
Judd Zulgad at the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes about NBC’s coverage of the US Women’s Open golf championship.
David Scott has his weekly look at the Beantown sports media scene…
The Boston Herald has the story on the departure o NESN’s Hazel Mae.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald analyzes ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage.
John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News also has ESPN Draft news.
Jim Williams at the Examiner writes on how Nationals fans will soon be listening to games in Spanish.
Ray Buck at the Fort Worth Star Telegram has the story on a new Fox Sports Net baseball series.
Skewed Priorities Will Doom Sports Media
I have lamented many times on this site about some of the idiodic editorial decisions sports media organizations make. I have two more examples from yesterday…
Those of us who follow sports know that Boston is arguably the hottest market in the country. The success of the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics makes Beantown the envy of the sports nation.
The Red Sox receive more press coverage than any other sport in Boston. The Boston sports media is always looking for an edge when covering the Sox. Getting the scoop on a trade rumor or injury is big business. But yesterday’s coverage of an off-the field event by the Boston Herald has to take the cake.
Last week Sox pitcher Curt Schilling announced that he was having season-ending surgery to repair damage to his right shoulder and arm. The news may have also signaled the end of Schilling’s career. The surgery was held yesterday in Wilmington, DE.
So what does the Herald do? They send Sox beat reporter Rob Bradford to Wilmington to report, first-hand, on the surgery. Not only was Bradford the only Boston beat reporter in Wilmington, but he also provided blog posts throughout the day.
Are you kidding me? When newspapers are bleeding away revenue the Herald spends money to send a reporter to cover a surgical procedure on a potentially washed-up, 40-something pitcher. Brilliant move.
Bradford took plenty of heat from readers in response to his boss’ decision to send him to Delaware. His final blog post included this nugget…
…for those others who deemed it silly to be hunkered down, also understand that this could be the most talked/debated/analyzed surgery in Red Sox history. Don’t forget that for two months we talked about the merits of this exact surgery, and not only that, but the outcome was going to determine the opportunity for a potential Hall of Famer to continue his career.
I admit I cannot think of the most talked/debated/analyzed surgery in Red Sox history, but as a fan of the team I can say that this wasn’t even the most important surgery in Schilling’s Red Sox career. That took place in 2005 when he was sidelined after surgery on that famous ankle that helped bring Boston the 2004 title. I doubt the Red Sox had much hope of him contributing in 2008. He was definitely in their plans for 2005.
Case study number two happened this morning while I was watching the Mike & Mike in the Morning show on ESPN2. What was one of their top SPORTS stories of the morning? The Shaquille O’Neal freestyle rap on Kobe Bryant.
Is this what now makes sports news? What does Shaq’s rap have to do with sports? Absolutely nothing. When I first saw the video and noticed the “TMZ.com” bug, I knew this would be a meaningless story.
These types of editorial decisions are also prevalent on the news side of things. Why cover higher gas prices or the war in Iraq when Lindsay Lohan is drunk again? Don’t get me started on Don Imus’ latest mess. We are most definitely doomed.
Another Break in the Action
I know I haven’t done much in this space…and I truly feel bad about it. My real life has taken up a lot of my resources, and unfortunately I don’t see much relief the remander of the summer.
On top of that, I will be away on vacation with my family for the next week. I am due back in the office on June 23rd.
Thanks for being patient and understanding. I hope to get back into it as soon as possible.
Should Reporters Be Allowed to Independently Blog?
A few months ago I commented on the firing of Washington Post reporter Michael Tunison after he identified himself as a contributor to the Kissing Suzy Kolber blog. Another blog has done some research as to how other newspapers would feel if one of its reporters blogged, on their free time, outside of their official duties.
Bloggasm surveyed 250 editors across the country to gauge their response as to whether they would allow their reporters to independently blog without permission. Read the full account here.
If I ran a newsroom, reporters would be placed on a different plane when it comes to their off-hours blogging. I think the response in the Bloggasmpiece by Vickie Holbrook at the Idaho-Press Tribune hits it on the head;
“A reporter can’t turn his credibility on or off as he enters and leaves the newspaper office,” she wrote. “So where do you draw the line on what’s OK and what’s not?…Politics would not be acceptable. Gardening would be.”
I agree with Holbrook. I would not have a problem if I were an editor and a reporter wanted to blog outside the office. I would allow them to do so, under the following conditions:
1. The reporter MUST identify himself/herself. It really bothers me that some bloggers hide their identity by posting as “Anonymous” or via a pseudonym. If you have the guts to post your opinion, show the guts to identify the source of that opinion. Keep your interests out in the open.
2. I would not allow reporters to blog on topics relating to their beat. This makes it difficult for general news reporters to blog on many issues because it may one day become part of a story. It may be easier for sports reporters to blog on topics in the news than news reporters blogging on sports. At least as long as the sports reporter doesn’t one day become part of the general news staff.
I do agree that allowing reporters to blog provides them with an outlet to hone their skills and display some creativity that their newspaper beats may not afford them.
When it comes down to it, it’s up to the reporter to decide whether blogging is worth the consequences his or her opinions may bring to his or her job. I guess Freedom of Specch can come with a price.
