LT speaks out, Hebert makes like Humpty

Lowetide finally spoke up about the issue outside of "comment-space", here. He waited until both sides of the story came out, and I commend him.

Also hilarious, was this post by Andy Grabia, regarding JJ Hebert's comment on bloggers.

Here's a quote from LT's comment-space:

godot10 said...

Devil's advocate mode ON:

When someone enters your home without permission, does it matter whether they are polite or not?

There is clearly an "economic value" to live-blogging from the pressbox. For anyone to do it without asking for permission first seems naive.

That said, the Oilers probably could have been more gentle with the said blogger, but said blogger seemed NOT to have a good understanding about how to "police" his own activity. He made a poor presumption.

How much economic value live-blogging has is irrelevant I think. As long as the game of hockey lives, it will always be more economically important than someone's description of it.

It may be the tip of the iceberg (in terms of blogging, bloggers, and/or the growing Oilers coverage on the internet). I like to think of it like a comparable to the whole Copernicus story - sometimes the truth works itself out one way or another.

I like the fact that LT took his time to post on this while people everywhere (including myself) were running around with their heads chopped off due to the confusion. I think now that some of the controversy in the issue was due mostly to:

1) the Edmonton Oilers that delayed their response, which meant people would either have to believe D.Berry's story as it was (initially) or question his creditiblity (which also happened)
2) the MSM that pointed the finger at bloggers
3) the bloggers that pointed the finger back

I realise that posting all that stuff about "Oilers view fans as enemy" that I did falls under that category #3 as well but I don't regret it. Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in, even if it involves your favorite hockey team.

Follow up: Also, check out Deadspin's new article.

the whole story - and the last one to boot

Edmonon Oilers finally respond, here.

Puck Daddy (by Elliotte Friedman and Greg Wyshynski) update here.

David Staples Cult of Hockey update here.

And in case you are new to this whole thing, go here or here.

Also, this is the last blog entry I am going to dedicate to this issue unless (a) more information comes out or (b) a useful new perspective or outlook is available.

If I blog any more on this my hockey pals will probably bust my balls.

Elliotte Friedman puts it much more eloquently than I've read elsewhere so far. It helps to put things in perspective, whereas other members of the MSM or not-so-"MS"M have either tried to shift the blame, point fingers, or ignore the issue altogether.

The most useful, fair and objective responses/coverage regarding the issue that I've read or received from members of the MSM or from the blogosphere were from these following people:

1. Elliotte Friedman, various publications
2. David Staples, Cult of Hockey/Edmonton Journal
3. Lowetide, Lowetide
4. Matt and Andy Grabia, Battle of Alberta

The most interesting responses/coverage:

1. Robin Brownlee, OilersNation (I didn't agree with everything he said, but at least he was objective about it)
2. Grease Trap, Oilblobosphere
3. David Staples, again
4. Chris and Mike, Covered in Oil

The least useful responses/coverage:

1. Jason Gregor, Team 1260
2. I don't like to put him up here, but Wanye Gretz's latest article didn't help me make up my mind at all on the issue, though it did bring out the positive side that the Oilers are freaking 4-0 right now, and also he is still my favorite writer at OilersNation (not including Lowetide, if you include him)
3. Loxy, Hot Oil (sorry Loxy! but I didn't write a letter and I don't think it would help as much as blogging away at the issue!)
4. Marcel Mutoni, Deadspin - this guy confused the issue for a lot of people, including yours truly

One thing's for sure: I don't know why I didn't read Cult of Hockey more often before, but there's some good stuff on there. I'm a new David Staples fan.

Perceptions of Legitimacy in the MSM

(Update 2:37) For the record:

I don't read live-blogs.

My response to Robin Browlee's conjecture that MSM guys don't get preferential treatment:

Part 1

Antony Ta Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 1:00 am

I think blogs should expect to be held to the same standard as the MSM in terms of content by the team involved if they are relying on that team for credentials and access.

You’re ignoring the fact that blogs and the so-called “MSM” have different goals in mind.

The MSM have exclusivity agreements on for-profit ventures, whereas the illegitimate bastard-child (or so-called “live-blog”) of internet hockey coverage is non-profit, volunteer work that Oilers fans do to promote the team they love.

Why do rights holders feel they need to go to such an exaggerated extent to protect something that’s not at risk. Would you choose to read a live-blog over watching Hockey Night in Canada? That would be plain stupid. The live-blog is designed to allow one to view the game from another person’s perspective and point-of-view. They may notice something that you do not and that’s the whole essence of communication via the internet: getting a message across that would be swallowed by the “legitimized” MSM.

Why is it considered so legitimate? That’s because MSM journalism taught in the schools are necessarily unbiased, objective, and as politically correct and safe as not to harm the hair off the head of any man not named Mike Keenan. This is not what blogs are for. The Oilers are not accountable to bloggers as much as bloggers are not accountable to the Oilers.

Sure, the majority of bloggers get bad rap for being anonymous, but Dave and others are obviously not anonymous and are identifiable figures in the community, as are you, Mr. Brownlee.

This is not the issue of Dave vs. the Oilers, the bloggers vs. the MSM, or round pegs in square holes. These are the issues of applying double-standards, miscommunicating club policies (or lack thereof), and harassing those who are only trying to help.

That is what bloggers do after all: spread love and cheer for the Oilers for free. They don’t want the money - they just want the respect and freedom to keep doing what they do.

Part 2

Antony Ta Says:

October 20th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Also, isn’t it ironic that the man calling for higher blogging standards named his blog “double-you tee eff?”

If Robin Brownlee really wanted more rigid impositions placed on internet-based writing he wouldn’t be writing for OilersNation.

Do you agree or disagree, Mr. B?

I'm awaiting his response.

In the meantime, have a look at this video (pt1 and pt2) about DeadSpin's creator and the internet sports blog (thanks to the ever reliable Grease Trap of Oilblobosphere).

Update, 1:59 PM

His response:

Disagree. I don’t WANT more rigid impositions placed on internet writing, I’m simply recognizing that they exist in cases where credentials are involved.

But earlier he said:

RobinB Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm

I think blogs should expect to be held to the same standard as the MSM in terms of content by the team involved if they are relying on that team for credentials and access.

Really Robin?

The blog Covered-In-Oil was not connected to whatever other work Dave Berry was doing. Nobody here expects blogs to overtake true journalism, the 630 CHED radio network, or mainstream live hockey. Thus, it is silly to say that if a press media guy uses formal language in the regular MSM he can't use informal language on a personal blog. It would be foolish to suggest that professional journalists use the same language in emails as they do in articles, and the same story goes for blogs.

Updated 2:59 PM

Robin continues with:

I don’t know how the blogger was treated by Oilers PR staff that night because I didn’t see it first-hand. Both sides, obviously, have their versions of what went down.

As has been pointed out, members of the media have issues with the Oilers PR staff from time to time, and that’s the case with every NHL team. It’s part of the job and the interaction that takes place. They have rules and expectations. We have jobs to do.

As chapter chairman of the PHWA in Edmonton in past seasons, I’ve been in the middle of those scrapes many times on behalf of writers over access to players, making sure the dressing room is open after the game within the prescribed time, etc etc.

While I’m not all that familiar with Berry’s work, I’d hate to think a disagreement with a member of the media relations staff would lead him to quit blogging. That seems like an over-reaction and very thin-skinned coming from someone who, from what little I’ve read on CIO, writes with a robust, in-your-face edge to his work.

Well I get Robin's point, but since David didn't quit doing what he was doing before (it was a short hiatus, at its furthest extent) it's not really valid to question his ability to man-up to the situation. Not that I want to defend it either (since he needs to defend himself) but I don't think he's done anything excessively whiney as some people have suggested. The majority of the outcry has been from other bloggers, and not from David himself. Some may have taken it too far (calling for heads to roll) whereas some have taken it too lightly (quote, "I don't give a flying ****") but nonetheless, I think it's still a pertinent issue.

Wanye Gretz of OilersNation does have a good point though... the Oilers are 4-0-0 to start the season, and the last time that happened I wasn't eveen alive!

Fighting the Good Fight

Update at 12:40 AM Local Time (Oct. 20)

Quotes from Chris and Mike of Covered in Oil on the OilersNation comment area, who hit it ON THE SPOT:

Chris! Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Interesting points. Lots to consider here, but two things jumped out at me off the bat:

“The Oilers have agreements in place that ensure certain rights holders get first crack at events as they unfold live. That’s what rights holders pay for. The Oilers are well within their rights to insist rules regarding no live blogging be followed.”

Oh man, are the Oilers ever going to be shocked when they wake up and realize it’s almost the year two thousand and nine and any dummy with a BlackBerry and ticket to the game can be curating a live-blog read by thousands in real time. In fact, why even pay to go to the game? Stay home and write it off TV. Bottom line is sports blog coverage gets read and read well. Trying to control the message is futile and pointless. From a business perspective, the goal should be to use emerging avenues to maximize brand exposure. How long until those rights holders realize they’re wasting their money on the current “access” model?

“This isn’t a case of two OilersNation writers getting favourable treatment in the form of press passes while other bloggers are denied the same courtesy. Gregor and I are accredited MSM guys who happen to contribute to a website.”

Dave was also an accredited MSM guy who happens to contribute to a website. What is the distinction you’re making here? This comes off as an old guard vs. new guard statement to me, but maybe I’m misunderstanding.

chris!

So what is the distinction, exactly?

Mike W Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 10:50 pm

As far as this specific incident goes, Berry is mistaken if he’s saying I’ve blogged live from Rexall Place.

He never did. Although he did suggest that other accredited media have used their access for exclusive content for blogs they were not accredited for. This includes you, despite the “majority” of your quotes coming from media scrums available online.

Gregor and I are accredited MSM guys who happen to contribute to a website.

So was David.

There are conventions and a code of professional conduct that members of the MSM are expected to adhere to, and they should apply to bloggers seeking access by way of credentials.

You don’t cheer in the press box. You don’t show up at the rink wearing an Oilers jersey—any jersey. You don’t try to take photos of players exiting the shower on your cell phone because your site is “Hunky Oil.”

None of this applies to David since he’s actually a accredited member of the media, and wasn’t wearing an Oilers jersey or taking nude photos.

You seem to be confusing this issue as blogger-wannabe-journalist, which is adorable, but it makes you sound like a grandparent who can’t set a VCR.

The issue is that the Oilers exercised a double-standard, still acted like jerks when David co-operated fully, and then back-peddled and actually offered his press pass back when they were caught making up their “live blog policy” up on the spot.

But yeah, thanks for the support.

Robin Brownlee is covering his own ass because he's getting preferential treatment as an established member of the "accepted MSM." In Sociology, this is identified as the gap between "legitimate means" and "illegitimate means" to achieve a goal, which are both equally as effective but are seperated by one which is accepted in society's norms and one that is unfamiliar, strange, or contrary to accepted norms.

Does it matter so much whether a quote or action is described before (now that would be special), during, or after the game? All bets are on the fact that ALL Oilers fans were watching or listening to the game that night, and not following via Live Blog. The MSM are not in any way threatened by blogs as an upcoming alternative to LIVE HOCKEY. To suggest otherwise would be plain stupidity. "A picture is worth a thousand words" and we can all appreciate that the live game of hockey is no comparison to some live blog description. The live blog is not there to compete with the big show - it's there to add personality, and to allow us to understand the game from someone else's perspective.

The goals of the MSM and the internet's "illegitimate" MSM, the so-called live blog are different and thus incomparable. The rights holders (SNW, CBC, 630 CHED) are in it for profit, whereas the bloggers have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

OLD POST:

What Dave said, and what I think:

Lastly, I want to clarify something for the people who have encouraged me to keep fighting the good fight, or some variation thereof. Though I appreciate your sentiments, to me keeping on is fighting the wrong fight. I understand the issues related to bloggers, their value and their growing importance in the media world. As Matt at BoA (here) so eloquently put it, though, that's not the drum I'm interested in beating. I respect the fact that the Oilers are a private organization who are free to issue their press passes to whoever they see fit. While I'm disappointed with their stance on bloggers, I also respect the fact that I violated their rules, even if I wasn't the only one to do it. What I don't respect is the fact that I was treated as someone acting maliciously or underhandedly; as I explained in an e-mail to the person I dealt with, I would have hoped the fact I was nothing but apologetic and cooperative was some indication of good will on my part. Naivete may not be an excuse, but it's an explanation, and at no point did it seem to me like the organization was interested in hearing even that. You're free to disagree with me all you want on this, but I feel a pretty good measure of character is how you act when you're in a position of power, and to me they acted with irrationality and pettiness; had they reacted with even a hint of either magnanimity or grace, I would have had no problem, even if their final decision was to revoke the pass.

- Taken from CiO

He's right about one thing: it's not about getting retribution or fighting the system or anything silly or revolutionary. It's about fairness in action; in policy; in countenance - I think this is the least any human being can expect from another human being.

Sports bloggers everywhere are talking about what happened to Dave Berry from CiO. Hockey fans from far away as Pittsburgh, Washington, L.A., and Tampa Bay have picked up on the story. This only further reveals the hypocrisy of the action of the Rexall "GestapOil" employee(s) who were involved and/or called the shots on Dave. Some non-hockey blogs have even picked it up.

To reiterate: this is not a call-to-arms; this is not a bunch of disgruntled bloggers yearning for a fight against our team (God no, anybody who would suggest it would be nuts). No, this is asking for what is fair for someone who has worked hard for what he has achieved and didn't deserve what he got instead.

And remember Oilers' bloggers, you could be next.

Here are some links to further coverage of the story I fished off other blogs:

Hot Oil - I don't want the press pass and other musings - here - and here
Jean Shorts and Bagged Milk - here and here
Oilblobosphere - here
AOL Sports - NHL Fanbase - here
Deadspin - The Edmonton Oilers Will Not Tolerate Your Live-Blogging Shenanigans - here
Yahoo Sports - Puck Daddy - here
The Blueland Chronicle -Oilers Brass are Petty Bureaucratic Tyrants - here
Edmonton Journal - David Staples: Cult of Hockey - here
On Frozen Blog - Caps and Oilers More Than A Conference Apart - here
Barry Melrose Rocks - here
Black Dog Hates Skunks - A High School Party Game - here
Pension Plan Puppets - Rallying the Base - here
Five Hole Fanatics - All class, all the time - here
Sabretooth's House - Covered in Controversy - here
Out Of Left Field - Covered In Oil embargo: The screwballs have spoken - here
Still No Name - Because sports blogging is serious business - here
The Program - This one hits hard... - here
Here Come the Bruins! - Oilers: "Fans are just not that important to us." - here

This quote is taken from Covered in Oil and I think is the shortest, most concise representation about why fans are offended and why bloggers are essential to small-market teams like our Edmonton Oilers:

Cliffster said...

For some reason, I'm not all that surprised given the NHL's ineptitude when it comes to connecting with it's fans. The reality is that bloggers reflect the views of the fans for the most part, and don't churn out the same mundane articles that we get from MSM. Good on you for keeping the blog rolling.

Cliffster is right about one thing: sponsored articles are usually mundane, unchallenging and are not accountable to fans. Bloggers usually get the short end of the stick because most of them are anonymous. But nonetheless, we are more or less accountable to each other and to the teams we love: not out of duty, but out of respect. Respect should be mutual.

And one more thing, WE ARE the MSM.