I've just smiled silently at my computer when reading about PR bloggers being bombarded with press releases and e-mail from fellow PR bloggers (thus getting to know what it feels like on the other end sometimes). But I began howling with laughter while reading this article about journalists' reactions to blogger criticism (and it seems we're still in the basement, as far as journalists are concerned):
The rise of the blogosphere remains one of the most exciting communications developments in decades, giving ordinary folks the chance to bite back at a media establishment widely viewed as arrogant. It's little surprise that mainstream media types don't like being questioned, challenged and chided by critics typing from their basements and bedrooms.
Ironically, most of the criticism of the media began because of the perception that they are not mainstream at all. And it's especially ironic to me that a profession that arose as a sort of watchdog for the man on the street is now complainging constantly about being watched by the man on the street. After all, isn't that what they say to the companies and individuals they write about: If you have nothing to hide, you'll talk to me. Honestly. With no hidden agenda. And I'll write about it. They should be able to offer the same.
Like...
CNN analyst Jeff Greenfield likes many blogs and doesn't much worry about "the baked-potato brains who say you're a media whore. . . . On the whole, I'm real happy to know there are a lot of people watching with the capacity to check me. I don't think that's chilling. It's just another incentive to get your facts right."
It's a new era, like it or not. And all companies - news companies included - are going to have to get used to increased transparency and increased communication with all audiences, both internal and external. But it sometimes seems that some of the media believe the lessons they helped us learn about transparency and integrity and questioning the status quo somehow don't quite apply to them.
