Financial Times tech reporter Dave Lee writes that technology journalists need to form their own organization.
Lee writes, “A tech correspondents’ association could solve several key issues. First, it could do something simple: define specifically what the terms ‘off the record’ and ‘on background’ mean to its members, with a nod to how it may be perceived in different markets.
“Second, it can demand its members refuse ‘on background’ unless in very narrow circumstances. Specifically, breaking news situations where a flack has useful information relating to an evolving story, but has not had the necessary approvals to share the information on the record… yet. An important principle here would be to perhaps treat such moments not as ‘on background’ but as ‘pre-record,’ and come down hard on companies that do not follow up officially within a reasonable timeframe.
“Third, it can bring some much needed bargaining power to the tech press as a whole, pushing for basic principles for events — such as speaking out against companies, like Apple, that believe they can dictate which specific reporter at an outlet is permitted to cover a launch.”
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