Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[bhg469]

No, we're definitely not losing money. His videos do VERY well. But getting freebies is certainly a wonderful bonus. Do you think he should decline free cruises and invitations to events?

No but he should definitely without question be up front about that.

 

[skippyrules104]

In the traditional media, many (not all) news agencies with any kind of credibility at all generally have rules against freebies in most cases - and disclosures about them when they do accept freebies for a reason.

There are issues of objectivity.

The issues are even bigger when, instead of a newspaper that covers everything, it's a Web site that covers a single company - and is accepting freebies from that company as part of that coverage. In fact, in many ways relies on freebies - whether it's a gift or just special access - for that coverage.

There comes a point when you need to know if this is an objective source of good information or essentially a secret extension of the company's marketing.

In any case, I can't speak to anyone else here, but I know I would love it if Ricky would enter the conversation here and explain his views on these things/take questions regarding it.

Ricky is currently editing a video from this evening's HHN media preview. You know how he is with Halloween. He could care less about what I'm discussing with you right now. But if you'd really like to know his opinion, shoot him an e-mail.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Let's see ...someone who hasn't posted in seven years shows up at night and wants to discuss her hubby ...do I play or enjoy these fresh cookies?

My friend, it's time for late night journalism ethics! That deserves cookies.

You and I both know that when you accept free things (beyond water) in exchange for coverage, that discredits your objectivity. Call it payola, call it what you will.

Short version is that Brigante is in the goodie bag brigade, plain and simple. He gives the appearance of someone who takes things in exchange for favorable coverage and access.

That in and of itself is why Disney needs to part ways with the blogger brigade.

 

[skippyrules104]

No but he should definitely without question be up front about that.

Did he not say that we got a free meal and a $50 gift card?

 

[englanddg]

Ricky is currently editing a video from this evening's HHN media preview. You know how he is with Halloween. He could care less about what I'm discussing with you right now. But if you'd really like to know his opinion, shoot him an e-mail.

So, here is the real question...

 

[71jason]

No, we're definitely not losing money. His videos do VERY well. But getting freebies is certainly a wonderful bonus. Do you think he should decline free cruises and invitations to events?

If he wants to maintain some semblance of being a "journalist" or something like it, then yes.

If he does not, then no--then the real question is why TWDC pays money for a shill who they ultimately have no control over.

[Videos? Everyone forgive my ignorance of the Disney blogging sphere, is this the guy who sells old, copyright-infringing DVDs? Don't really care, the IP lawyer in me is just curious.]

 

[PhotoDave219]

No, we're definitely not losing money. His videos do VERY well. But getting freebies is certainly a wonderful bonus. Do you think he should decline free cruises and invitations to events?

If you're a professional, you don't accept payola. Very simple.

You want to be taken as a professional, then you behave as one.

In my career, the only freebies I've accepted is water.

Ethics. They're a wonderful thing. Look into them....

 

[skippyrules104]

My friend, it's time for late night journalism ethics! That deserves cookies.

You and I both know that when you accept free things (beyond water) in exchange for coverage, that discredits your objectivity. Call it payola, call it what you will.

Short version is that Brigante is in the goodie bag brigade, plain and simple. He gives the appearance of someone who takes things in exchange for favorable coverage and access.

That in and of itself is why Disney needs to part ways with the blogger brigade.

I'm confused. Does he not include things he finds negative even when he gets things for free. I know that he doesn't say positive things about absolutely everything.

 

[skippyrules104]

If you're a professional, you don't accept payola. Very simple.

You want to be taken as a professional, then you behave as one.

In my career, the only freebies I've accepted is water.

Ethics. They're a wonderful thing. Look into them....

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

 

[englanddg]

If he wants to maintain some semblance of being a "journalist" or something like it, then yes.

If he does not, then no--then the real question is why TWDC pays money for a shill who they ultimately have no control over.

[Videos? Everyone forgive my ignorance of the Disney blogging sphere, is this the guy who sells old, copyright-infringing DVDs? Don't really care, the IP lawyer in me is just curious.]

I think it's fairly obvious, he doesn't want to be seen as a journalist.

He may have presented himself as such, but as an outsider I can say his webcasts ("podcasts") are boring, and overall I really don't find him all that interesting. His youtube work is pretty cool though.

This was a hobby that paid off with freebies.

I don't see why this would upset anyone.

 

[bhg469]

Does he do this for the free cruises? Do you think those free cruises would stop if he was a little too negative?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

Neither do we.

 

[englanddg]

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

Exactly. He's a commentator...not a journalist.

 

[Clever Name]

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

Neither does anyone else.

 

[71jason]

I'm confused. Does he not include things he finds negative even when he gets things for free. I know that he doesn't say positive things about absolutely everything.

You don't think getting free things--including a $50 gift card which in no way, shape or form can possibly be useful in sizing up the decor and menu of a new restaurant--has a tendency to cloud his judgment?

 

[Stevek]

No, we're definitely not losing money. His videos do VERY well. But getting freebies is certainly a wonderful bonus. Do you think he should decline free cruises and invitations to events?

Do the freebies bias his reporting? Would he or others be more critical if they stopped coming? I think that's where many people have issues. Is Ricky truly being objective or does he hold back to keep the freebies coming?

And FYI, I do enjoy his podcasts and videos. For someone like me who has been a disneyland local for 40 years, I appreciate the news he provides on Orlando. I think he, like others, sometimes need to look in the mirror and question their own journalistic integrity. He himself directed this question towards the moms panel, "Is it for Disney's glory...or for yours?" How would he answer it?

 

[skippyrules104]

If he wants to maintain some semblance of being a "journalist" or something like it, then yes.

If he does not, then no--then the real question is why TWDC pays money for a shill who they ultimately have no control over.

[Videos? Everyone forgive my ignorance of the Disney blogging sphere, is this the guy who sells old, copyright-infringing DVDs? Don't really care, the IP lawyer in me is just curious.]

No, we do not sell DVDs.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

Following up.... Since he's not a professional journalist, why should he be treated as such With media accreditation and access?

Why should he get treated better than the average guessed that actually pays $95 to get in the Magic Kingdom everyday?

 

[71jason]

I think it's fairly obvious, he doesn't want to be seen as a journalist.

I have no idea who he is, I may have found his website, but it's not the bearded guy, so I'm confused. Was he the one with the camera making the video?

If he, or anyone else at the event, isn't a journalist, or something similar, what's the point in inviting him to a media event?

ETA: Dave beat me to it, and said it better.

Also, his site, if I'm in the right place, clearly has a column labeled "news." So a non-journalist who reports news? That's oxymoronic.

 

[englanddg]

You don't think getting free things--including a $50 gift card which in no way, shape or form can possibly be useful in sizing up the decor and menu of a new restaurant--has a tendency to cloud his judgment?

The real issue is...should anyone take his assessments seriously?

No....because they are warped by comps. And, anyone with half a brain would see that (as I did when I started to look at the site)....it's rah rah Disney, and...what's wrong with that? Nothing.