Countdown host Keith Olbermann, took time from his program to vent at some of the blog-o-sphere’s most popular blogs, for crafting from whole cloth articles and commentary alleging a temper tantrum motivated him to stalk off the MSNBC set for a few days, when in fact his absence was related to the reality his Mother was diagnosed with and died from cancer in the span of a couple weeks.
His commentary during the shows “What the Fu%$†moment or W.T.F segment can be viewed here.
Mr. Olbermanns commentary exposes a growing problem, I speculate is a consequence of the decline of traditional fact based journalism and the ever expanding dominance of Internet based news and media sources, which are solely dependent on the ethical standards of blog owners and those who contribute.
Unlike print or television journalism, which is in theory somewhat regulated and in most cases does conform to self imposed standards of professionalism and editorial review, anyone can publish a blog and post an article, even when they report as fact or breaking news, that which they know is incorrect, a lie or simply an outlandish allegation unsupported by any element of a particular public event or circumstance surronding a public figure or for that matter common reality.
In Mr. Olbermanns case they posted the smear and swarmed the story even after they became aware he was mourning his Mom. And what is really unfortunate in this case, the smears and subsequent commentary came from bloggers and blogs who were often credible sources of news, information and snarky celebrity gossip.
Till quite recently blogs that made it up as they went along, seldom drew much notice or generated the readership required to become financially viable. The fact folks over at CityFile and places like the Boston Globe’s Blog and Wonkette contributed to the Olberman swarm, even after they were aware of the personal loss Mr. Olbermann suffered, does suggest a disturbing trend that seems to be coinciding with the demise of the newspaper and magazine industry.
Perhaps regulators will need to step in and impose on the Blog-O-sphere the same basic regulatory safeguards and editorial standards print and television journalism must operate under.
I get my share of e-mails from conservatives who claim I use freedom of speech to post political commentary and Op-ed observations written with the sole intent, to offend and cast aspersion in the most negative and critical light possible, so people and events addressed will suffer the most unflattering and distorted perception I can relate, to which I reply, Why yes, and than some but that’s just my view, yours may be different.
But too often these days, bloggers fail to observe the line between commentary and simply making it up as they go along. When for example Dick Cheney’s Daughter, goes on FOX as she did this week and wonders why, President Obama seems to be siding with terrorists or Sarah Palin wonders why he pals around with them, that’s snarky hard ball political commentary. Reporting that Keith Olbermann stormed off the set in a tantrum and is fighting with Rachel Maddow, even after you have been told actually he is mourning for his Mom, that’s so crass, it would even fail Sir Rupert Murdoch’s standard of journalism, well that’s my view, yours may be different.  Â
6 users commented in " M.S.N.B.C’s Keith Olbermann lambasts popular blogs "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI’d just like to say thank you.
It’s good to hear someone acknowledge the need for at least a basic level of story vetting, even on the blogs.
It’s too bad there’s no way to vet the writers for personality disorders, though. This particular performance on the part of some bloggers was abysmal.
Yea once a post is caught up in the swarm its too late to correct or as the Times says regret the error.
Most journalists now blog but the majority of bloggers do not yet meet the accepted definition of journalism but even that is changing.
Still one should keep in mind when the Nation was sure we were facing an anthrax attack a few years back it was C.N.N and the mainstream media who told the folks the lie it was dangerous to stock up on the only medicine that could cure ya,
And when the politicians rushed to war the mainstream media played cheerleader without checking the facts and to this day pretty much refuses to embrace any responsibility.
And it was blogs who attempted in vain to warn the democratic rank and file what a sleaze John Edwards was and the MSM suppressed it
There definitely are sites that function as newspapers and the people dig for stories. They perform a useful service.
It must be frustrating for them when some blog sites (such as the ones involved in yesterday’s debacle involving Olbermann) copy the newspaper organizational form, complete with “editor,” but it’s form only. The editor doesn’t do what a traditional newspaper editor is supposed to do. It just looks neat to see your name up there with the title next to it.
Let’s play newspaper. I’ll be the editor and give you an assignment. Write a story about a celebrity. Any story you like.
Agreed and thank you for taking time to offer your observation, I think as the traditional news print industry transitions to the web, content that is user generated or citizen journalism if you like will benefit from editorial oversight.
in addition user content like the reviews for books, movies and products you find right here at blogger news is often more diverse and fleshed out than what one MSM site can provide which is helpful to those wanting to select a good book or movie.
if you read this sites editorial policy we offer observation, commentary and analysis of news and events from the average citizen journalist perspective.
While some of the many writers who contribute from around the globe, do have traditional journalism credentials ie ONA membership or press accreditation issued by local state and municipal agencies,
The New York Times we are not and in point of fact, the sites founder established B.N.N in part to provide the very unique insight that becomes part of the overall common narrative that can only be provided by your average Joe or jane on the street in respect to daily events.
and while I hope to avoid in closing sounding like the President of the Keith Olbermann fan club, the fact remains a man who will most certainly join the historical ranks of men like Edward R Murrow and Walter Cronkite was
smeared and besmirched at a time when he was mourning the passing of his Mom.
From the perspective of this citizen journalist thats just so wrong and offensive it merits a news cycle or two to offer criticism of those responsible
Im glad his mother died. shame on her for giving Birth to Truly, the absolute “Worst Person in the World” . “the fact remains a man who will most certainly join the historical ranks of men like Edward R Murrow and Walter Cronkite was
smeared and besmirched at a time when he was mourning the passing of his Mom.” ……You need to seek help. How could you possibly compare this waste of life to anything relating to news…..You disgust me.
Randy thanks for taking time to read and comment, it is always a delight to have a rank and file FOX network viewer drop a line.
And boy howdy those special tinfoil inserts Glen Beck is promoting to protect ya all from Obama’s government mind control rays, do not seem to hinder you one teeny tiny bit, from expressing the intense depth of intellectual prowess enjoyed by the Cheney crowd.
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