Image via Wikipedia If you know me outside of reading my blog you might realise (I hope) that I’m not precious about the blog. I’m just into blogging, social media, the odd bit of armchair activism and having a bit of craic. I like it when any blog breaks a bit of news or does something new, I’ve helped run a conference on blogging and have sat down with people who want to start a blog and given them some (feeble) advice. I have a job and a life outside the blog, I don’t do this shite for money or fame but I do hope that bloggers get attribution for the digging and hours and talent and fun.
This week has been busy on the blog front and a lot of fun with a bit of traffic thrown in. I did an interview earlier in the week with the Irish Independent regarding the Travel Pass story, the journalist explicitly said they had seen the story on the blog, and as requested I sent them the images I had received and provided them with additional quotes. They also covered the Sarah Palin story and published it yesterday. There was a name check and a reference to it sourcing on a blog – grand thought I, maybe they are changing their spots on referencing stuff to the blogosphere.
However today they had a substantial story on the Travel Pass with additional reporting but no attribution to this or any blog as to the source of the story.
Fuck ye lads – Independent Newspapers spend an awful lot of time surfing this blog and other blogs looking for stories – I wave at you when I’m taking a look at my stats and spot your IP address. Any day there’s a Michael Lynn story about you are on in your droves. Last year there was regular non attribution of items gained from blogs during the General Election. It became a running joke.
I know Gavin O’Reilly can’t stand us or any form of user generated content – is this why there’s such a problem admitting where you get your stuff? It’s time you were publicly called on it and your cards marked.
I’m really sorry that the other freelancer who was in touch with me regarding a piece won’t get published now – he was very genuine and conscious of the fact that I and other bloggers had been badly treated before.
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Meh, don’t worry about me. I was beaten to the story fair and square. You have the legitimate grievance here. At least we all know you’re the one who broke the story, and it looks like something will have to be done about it now.
Fuck’s sake. More of the same from Plagiarpendent. The travel pass story was all over Newstalk today as well, so at least the ball’s rolling.
It’s a pity they don’t acknowledge their sources, but the way I see it, the issue has reached a new audience and if it gets a change to the law then you can have the personal satisfaction knowing you helped bring about a change. that is infinitely more rewarding is it not?
On the flip side, the Mail on Sunday gives attribution and mentioned my blog a couple of weeks ago in relation to a video I posted. I bet any money that if the Iarnrod Eireann story had been with the MoS you’d have been given full attribution.
With the Indo having “form” in not giving attribution, it’s odd that you chose to speak with them and send on photographs. You have no doubt learned your lesson.
Learnt my lesson le craic? Why should I? Or do you believe we should not have some sort expectation of ethics from those in the Mainstream Media?
Essentially I’m talking about laziness, about the diminishing realm that is investigative journalism and about the interaction between social media and user generated content and traditional media forms.
As for personal satisfaction and reward – that’s not what this is about. Anyone could do what I do – even those paid millions by philanthropic groups who claim to be working on the issues concerned.
It’s a pity the level of anger that has been present online on blogs and forums in the Irish sphere was not around 4 years ago when this law was brought in – but if one thing can be learnt (if one is so into learning lessons) is the impact of the internet in passing news to others and involving people in campaigns – letters and emails written on issue etc.
What are your thoughts on the review Suzy?
Just posted on it Green Ink – I think it’ll take a long time to change this law unless she has access to some sort of statutory instrument which means that the regulations around schemes can be altered by her order.
As I mentioned already the Civil Partnership proposals do not contain anything on social welfare which is concerning to many.
Social Welfare Policy under Equality Review | Maman Poulet // Sep 6, 2008 at 10:26
[...] their report is no longer available) about the Free Travel Pass issue following the publication of that article in the Irish [...]
I think getting worked up about media ethics as it relates to bloggers is way down the list of things I would spend my time crusading on in the short amount of time I have on this planet. Obviously, that’s my point of view but to answer your question about lesson learning. Surely, with the Indo having seriously dirty noses why didn’t you tell them to take a running jump? Why didn’t you bring your story to the attention of someone else so that the Independent wouldn’t crawl all over your site and then lift the story?
My reading of your language has me confused. On the one hand, the issue is about equality first and foremost – that’s what the story was originally about. Then it’s about media ethics. Then when I leave a comment, you talk about others paid money to do things about the issues and don’t and don’t want to take a compliment. Then you have bemoan why people didn’t have a level of anger 4 years ago or whatever.
Why sit there waiting for someone to lift stories. Engage first and foremost. I’ve done it at local level with local rags on local issues and they are happy to attribute. I just don’t know why everything has to be the world against you, work with the world and bring them around to your way rather than waging war all the time.
there is some pigeon English and typos on my comment. I have a bit of a migraine which is affecting my vision and concentraion.
Le Craic I get what Suzy is saying – given the history of the lesbian and gay community in Ireland and the exclusion of voices of those who are not male, middle class and able bodied. The professionalisation of the gay movement and the move away from community development and consulatation leads to a disenagement by those who are affected by legislation and policy.
The point I think Suzy is making is that she and others online are pointing to deficiencies in government and community decisions which lead us to situations such as the ban on same sex couples being able to have a travel pass.
Apart from that Suzy is the most engaging, readable and eclectic current affairs blogger in Ireland and her readers (well most of them anyway) realise that. The fact her stuff is being used by the Independent etc. is indicative of the talent don’t you think?
Why should she bring stuff to the attention of the press? I don’t get that – she’s just putting it on her blog for all of us to read surely?
Karl, I get what is being said too – totally. What I don’t get is (as I’ve already said), the conflicting messages that are being sent out.
Which is more important? The issue or media ethics? That’s my point here. The issue is the important thing I would have thought. If the issue is buried under a media ethics blanket, well then what’s the point of raising the issue in the first place? Can you see my point?
if you disable right clicks on your blog, then the Indo will not be able to copy and paste. If they had to retype what you write line for line, maybe they would think twice.
LinkListing Monday // Sep 8, 2008 at 13:12
[...] plain stealing Indo style – Maman [...]
Laura, I’m not saying that the Indo just cut and paste in this instance – they didn’t attribute the source.