April 24, 2006
Leonsis: Blogger Payola Scandal On The Way
Ted Leonsis says it's only a matter of time before the Blogosphere has a payola scandal of its own:
Will the blogosphere payola scandal involve direct cash payments for mentions and placement? Maybe, although I doubt it. Instead, I think it will increasing take the less-direct forms of ad buys, directed traffic, link trading, comp/donated products for "testing", or other quiet support.
But whether it takes the form of cash, traffic, products, or favors, the blogosphere will have a payola scandal. It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when.
Here's another thought: Going with the parameters Ted lays out above, couldn't it very well be possible that activities like these are already occurring, but are just going undetected?
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One of Howard Dean's campaign people said that the Dean campaign had paid the guys at Daily Kos for one thing or another... But it wasn't for a positive endorsement. The Bush administration, at the time of the relevalation, was trying to deal with the fact they had been paying media writers to support their different agendas. The right attacked this payout as if it were an example the Democrats were busy with propoganda too.
Posted by:
at April 24, 2006 01:28 PM
Concerns about influence and attribution are equal concerns for bloggers and journalists. But you have to start at the beginning.
This article by Jonathan Last savages blogging as a medium and does not even believe it adds to the public store of information.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/sunday_review/14405789.htm
It would take 30 minutes for an editorial board at a newspaper to lay down a FAQ for general journalism best practices. Invite a half dozen local bloggers to add to and debate the FAQ, and then you have a running start.
All we have now is both sides sailing up to each other, unloading a broadside, and then sailing off to the next attack.
Posted by:
at April 24, 2006 01:56 PM
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