MSNBC Doesn't Credit Sources
Dean
The My Pet Jawa and some other bloggers broke a story that MSNBC used but did not give credit for--and he can prove it.
We've seen a little of this before, and I imagine we'll see more as. I think the real problem is that the pros are afraid to credit freelancers, and really aren't sure how to say with a straight face on the air something like, "My Pet Jawa reports...."
But I think they're going to have to get used to it. Heh.
Blogsites surely are the wave of tomorrow crowding in on today's journalism, but some of the downright whimsical (bordering on silly) names under which they have established themselves render them fooling-appearing when examined by somebody in the straight journalism world.
Sort of like walking into some big city's first national bank at their downtown main office and asking for a business loan, while dressed in a T-shirt and ragged-edge cut-off jeans.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
The names people give themselves make those people sound totally incredulous! Can you imagine, for example, someone on CNN saying, "Dean Esmay reports that..."
I mean seriously... Esmay?
Come on!!!
Isn't that piglatin for "mess?"
"The blog (or, the blogger) known as "My Pet Jawa" reports that..."
If they really want to distance themselves from the blog's title:
"An Internet website with the odd name of "My Pet Jawa" report that..."
Remember "the artist formerly known as Prince"? Same thing, essentially.
Anyway, My Pet Jawa is, as everyone should know, the name of Dr. Rusty Shackleford's blog. I suppose that identifying him as a Munuvian would strike people as a little odd...
"Blackfive" would be more problematic if they included "Paratrooper of Love," or his recent slogan "In a manner reminiscent of Ghengis Khan..."
Heh.
What would truly rock would be:
Brit Hume reading the teleprompter: "In story originally broken by the Queen of All Evil, it was reported ..."
Heh.
Oh, that one's easy:
[stuffy grave Anchor Voice]"And Noted Internet Commentor Dr. Rusty Shackleford reports..." *pause* "Over to you, Rusty" [/Anchor Voice]
A little bit of research to find out wether Noted Internet Commentor [Insert Name Here]'s facts are in order, an email asking for permission to use the quote and a name they can attribute it to as a byline, and Voila! instant respectable source.
Sure, asking for a name might get a "*shrug* Attribute it to Unnamed Source, I don't care" from a pseudononymous net pundit like me... but a LOT of bloggers use their IRL names on their sites and posts.
"And on Tonight's News, Emperor Misha I reports that..."
*ROFLMAO!* Now THAT would be bloody priceless. ;]