GaryGeiger wrote:
rrheisler wrote:
We're not avoiding the PTO in the forum.
We're not giving them front-page coverage. That's because a.) we can't cover their events well when we are *on site* due to the situations Eric experienced in Miami, and b.) their media credentialing in order for us to get file photos from them includes provisions that allows them to demand we remove content from the site (which we do not grant *anyone*), and c.) if we *are* on site, those same credentials say that we must give an ownership interest in those photos to the PTO.
So until those three things get solved -- well, we can do an excellent job covering races remotely. We've done so for a long time. We'll continue to do so -- but only if we can actually somehow *experience* them (which, generally means, there needs to be a live broadcast for us to be able to see what is taking place).
Also note Eric's piece from St. George -- media access isn't just a PTO problem.
And who's the one losing out? Not PTO.
This is what you MAY think because every company executive or every politician THINKS they are bigger than the collective of the media....
until they are not.
The reason journalism is the 4th estate in democratic society is it keeps people in positions of power accountable. Typically politicians, but also CEOs/Executives in any powerful company. These clauses tabled by PTO in exchange of access are not cool by any means.
Often executives think they are above the media and can write their own narrative using their own channels. But eventually everyone figures that out for what that marketing channel truly is. It's not news, it is marketing. And I totally get the angle of marketing (I personally run a small tech company). But CEOs need the media to be the amplifier or their good news as it gives their good news validity, but also call them out when the news is not so good, because in doing so, when the same media outlet amplies the good news that amplification has a 10-100x effect compared to when you market it via your own channels.
So putting arbitrary of onerous requirements on media who cover you, is going to bite you eventually. It may not bite you now, but it may later because if you have a disaster and then when the media you alienated chooses to cover your disaster, you have zero relationship with that outlet to be less "sharp and pointy".
You gotta play the media game. You just have to in free enterprise. If you try to control the media you are digging your grave because eventually the media will contol you. Not ST on its own, but the collective who stood for free independent journalism, will call you out when the time comes that you deserve to be called out (and every company eventually has their version of the Boeing door blowing off the side of the airplane).
Moral of the story, build your relationships with the media. Be forthcoming, expect them to call you out on our mistakes, hope that they amplify your good news...rinse-repeat. But the day you screw up, and the media nails your coffin shut, don't complain, because you alienated the 4th estate to your peril.