Big Media and the Blogosphere

Upon receiving the invite for this week’s Seattle-area blogger meetup with KOMO TV, Dave Newton put things into perspective for the community-at-large:

I’m flattered that I made a list of Seattle area bloggers, but not starry-eyed enough to accept the invitation to come and be cooed over by the TV people, no matter how sincere they may seem about recognizing my significance. See, I have been, and plan to continue, commenting upon and sometimes criticizing KOMO-TV, and many other media organizations. So, I prefer not to drink their booze and eat their hors d’oeuvres, thanks all the same. I guess I can’t help thinking I’d have a harder time blogging about them afterward, and that they–KOMO-TV and Mr. Pirillo, the self-styled self-promoter–would like that very much.

I left a comment, which is something I seldom do in blogs these days (choosing, instead, to take remarks back into my own space so that others within my circle might discover them easier). “You shouldn’t stop complaining… in fact, I’d say you should be complaining even louder now. :) Unfortunately, that’s the only way companies listen (in reaction to PAIN points).” Dave responded:

I’m trying to understand what he meant. I think he’s encouraging me. Always dangerous. Anyway, thanks, Chris. You seem to get that I’m not attacking you for promoting. I’m exposing the normal, legal, process of schmoozing communications people to obtain positive coverage. KOMO-TV has a perfect right to do this, and since most bloggers are not journalists, or not professional, or both, there’s nothing in their upbringing to preclude their swooning over any attention from anybody important. I come from a conventional old-time broadcaster background, so I’m not available for schmoozing. That’s all.

Yes, I always encourage complainers – dehypers, if you will (although, I often complain in a hyperactive manner). At least Dave understands that bloggers aren’t journalists – though many of them (you!?) seem to think they are (or should be treated as such). Local news outfits are in even bigger trouble as they face an increased risk of losing their national affiliate status.

More than anything, I see larger media outlets finally understanding their increasing irrelevance with the minds of Americans. Mind you, I’m all for that – as I think ‘big media’ has taken too much away from us (far more than it has given). I’m not trying to kick ‘em while they’re down, but I am hopeful that they’ll soon put an end to the separation between themselves and the community. Therein lies an opportunity as I see it – but I’ve been mistaken before.

Color me an idealist. :)

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