Gay Journalists Asso. Takes Swipe At LGBT Bloggers Covering Prop 8 Trial
NLGJA's Michael Triplett
Ironically in his post this afternoon on the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) blog which is titled React, NLGJA board member Michael Triplett took aim at gay bloggers, orgs and individuals covering the Prop 8 trial. After “blogging” that most of the trial coverage is being handled by veteran journalists Karen Ocamb and Lisa Keen—as well as a mention of a smattering of traditional LGBT news outlets and publications, Triplett goes on to say the following:
“The challenge for traditional LGBT media is that they are forced to compete with the online world where no one is paying for coverage. While LGBT bloggers are providing extensive coverage of the trial, they are serving as aggregators and piggy-backing on the coverage paid for by traditional media sources. But covering a trial like this costs money and the LGBT media often lacks the resources to devote to paying for coverage.
There is also extensive use of live-blogging and tweets from inside the courtroom. While this coverage is interesting, it also has its problems. First, beyond the coverage by the Advocate, none of the blogging is really being done by LGBT journalists. Instead, we get self-interested advocacy groups–the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Courage Campaign, American Foundation for Equal Rights–providing much of the play-by-play.”
We don’t know where to begin with his statements. Especially when we thought the great debate of journalism vs. blogging was done and over with eons ago. Triplett’s post is almost embarrassing to read.
Let’s start with his last quip about self-interested groups such as the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Courage Campaign and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. WTF? It’s not like The Philadelphia Gay News, the Gay City News, Dallas Voice, and ProjectQAtlanta and other traditional LGBT news outlets couldn’t have done exactly what the Courage Campaign did in setting up a trial tracker Web site with commentary. Or how ‘bout letting folks know ahead of time like American Foundation of Equal Rights did in inviting the twittersphere to follow their trial tweets?
And as far as piggy-backing and aggregating is concerned, who needs to do that when there’s Courage’s and the San Jose Mercury News trial trackers overflowing with fresh straight-outta-the-horses mouth info and updates. Plus of course the direct tweets from both the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Protect Marriage. Piggyback who? For what?
We will say though that we did piggyback off of Karen Ocamb breaking the story about Judge Walker soliciting public comment in terms of whether or not to televise the trial. But that was from her blog LGBT POV. If it was coverage paid for by traditional media sources then that’s a score that needs to be settled between the journalist and her sources. We did our share by attributing Ocamb and her blog as our source for the information.
(Note: Honorable mention to Bilerico Project by the way for that outstanding list of Prop 8 trial Tweeters they’ve posted on their blog —something any traditional LGBT news outlet could have easily done as well we might add.)
Last but not least, if Triplett’s gonna take aim at these organizations, at least take aim at the right ones like Firedoglake. More clever than most (or ballsy depending on how you look at it) they came up with the bright idea of just collecting money and profiting off of Prop 8 trial coverage cause it seemed like a good business investment:
(Firedoglake’s Emptywheel blog Web page header)
Liveblogging the Prop 8 Trial: Day Five Friday AM (18)
By: emptywheel Friday January 15, 2010 8:55 am
For those joining FDL for our Prop 8 coverage, please help us defray the costs of covering the trial with a donation. And if you’re a law firm or (especially) a traditional media outlet that has previously claimed bloggers do no real coverage and instead steal others’ work, please make a very generous contribution!
We think the problem in terms of traditional LGBT news pubs having to take a backseat in the Prop 8 trial coverage is not so much blogging and social media interference as it is poor business judgment marked by inept online marketing decisions and a sluggish and resentful approach to the wonders of social media. We have to say we’re a tad disappointed and bewildered that Mr. Triplett wrote the post that he did. We’ve been quite impressed truth be told at the coverage of the Prop 8 trial. The Internet just seems electric these days.
Fact is, in today’s world everybody’s a deejay, a photographer, a filmmaker and a reporter. All of which can be done via cell phone. Surely Mr. Triplett knows this. Maybe somebody should tell him to set himself up a Facebook profile, a twitter account, and buy himself an iPhone so that he too, can join the fun.
Read Triplett’s post in full Who’s Covering The Prop 8 Trial In LGBT Media?
Possibly Related Posts:
- No TV Action For Prop 8 Closing Arguments
- Religious Org Wants Judge Walker To Excuse Himself From Prop 8 Trial
- SF Chron Says Prop 8 Judge Vaughn Walker Is Gay
- Courage Campaign Accuses Prop 8 Attorney Of Public Funds Misuse
- Re-enactment Of Prop 8 Trial Day One
