Joan Stewart, who writes the Publicity Hound’s blog, posted a comment today about how to fight bias in the media. She pays particular attention to responding in the same manner as Overstock.com President Patrick Byrne did earlier this month to BusinessWeek e-commerce editor Timothy Mullaney.
Stewart writes: “If you’re lucky enough to have a tape-recording or a written transcript of an interview you did with the media, you can fight back by posting it on your website, like Overstock.com President Patrick Byrne did following an interview with BusinessWeek e-commerce editor Timothy Mullaney—before the story was published on BusinessWeek’s magazine or on its website.”
She also suggests that companies and others take their stories to bloggers, bypassing the mainstream media.
Former BusinessWeek reporter Gary Weiss responded to Stewart on his blog, writing “With all due respect to Ms. Stewart, whose general concern about media bias I tend to share, I think this not a very good idea.
“Sure, if you’ve been misquoted, then I would say yes, posting a transcript is totally understandable. However, Byrne was not upset with a biased article. He was concerned with what he saw as a biased reporter, which is an entirely different ball of wax.
“The problem with this approach is that it is going to be construed as an attempt to intimidate the media. Not that Byrne would ever stoop to doing such a thing. Perish the thought! But it is going to be viewed that way anyway.”
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do note that your state's laws may require obtaining permission from the other person or people on the call before recording. that is the case in washington state, regardless of who requested the interview.
Indeed there are state laws -- state by state. And that's where some of these jokers may get stung. I really think some of them don't understand there are rules and regs that we (as in journalists) live by.
I only hope biz journalists take these development seriously and see them for what they are: Attempts to discredit critical journalists while at the same time potentially misleading investors.
Irwin Jacobs, of Minnesota, owner of Genmar -- a boat maker -- tried very hard to do discredit me with me with his own website a number of years ago. He was heavily invested in a company called AremisSoft, which was a frequent focus of my column. Long story short: AmremisSoft turned out to be one of the great frauds; its former CEO recently paid a $200 million fine to the SEC as part of a fraud settlement. Jacobs has since privately apologized.
Likewise, the fundamentals of Overstock have steadily deteriorated as its CEO has gone on his jihad against "miscreants" in the press, including yours truly.
Something to consider if these trends evolve.
Gee, I don't know, Herb. I'd give CEOs a pass on the legalities. Let their shareholders see them in action, being interviewed by the media. They may not like what they see.