CandysDirt.com, a Dallas-based real estate news site, has accused the Dallas Morning News of not giving it attribution and credit when it breaks stories.
Executive editor Joanna England posted on Facebook on Wednesday that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Business Journal have given it proper credit, but the Morning News has not.
England wrote, “Considering how competitive the online journalism industry is and how hard I’ve worked with Candy to build up this brand into a legit niche news powerhouse, I’m fed up with the way we’ve been treated by a company that’s supposed to be an advocate for journalism and in solidarity with journalists.”
Mike Wilson, the editor of the Dallas Morning News, said in a message that he connected with website founder Candy Evans about the issue and agreed with her.
“I looked at the story and wrote her back saying I agreed that Candy’s Dirt should have been credited,” said Wilson. “I said we have no reservations about crediting Candy’s Dirt and sent several links showing that we have done so in the past. I wished her well. … She did not write back. The Facebook post you sent is the first I’ve heard from anybody at Candy’s Dirt since then. I just sent Candy another note saying we want to be good neighbors and I’m always available.”
Evans said that the Morning News has stepped up its reporting on luxury real estate.
“We love it when media shares our work and all it takes is a simple link,” said Evans. “The irony is they claim to be promoting great journalism but not walking the walk.”
